Stylish Melbourne City bounce back to batter Newcastle Jets

Melbourne City wasted no time bouncing back from last week’s shock loss to Perth by battering a hapless Newcastle 4-0.

Melbourne City players celebrate against Newcastle. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne City wasted no time bouncing back from last week’s shock loss to Perth by battering a hapless Newcastle 4-0.

Just a week after getting ambushed by the Glory, Adrian Luna bagged a brace, while Jamie Maclaren and Javier Cabrera also found the net in a one-sided affair.

It was another historic night for Maclaren, who became the fastest player in A-League history to the ten-goal mark after scoring in his seventh game for the club.

The victory ensures City consolidate second spot for Erick Mombaerts’ side, five points behind Sydney FC and three clear of Western United.

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In contrast, Newcastle face a week of soul-searching following one of their worst efforts of the season that has left them languishing just one point above bottom-placed Central Coast. City looked like a team on a mission from the kick-off at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday evening, and got the perfect start when Cabrera took advantage of a flat-footed Jets defence. The Uruguayan split their central defenders with a precision through ball for Luna, who simply helped it past an advancing Glen Moss in just the third minute.

Newcastle slowly warmed back into the contest only to concede from a corner, with Luna nodding home a teasing Josh Brillante cross.

Another set piece led to the third goal when a quick free kick from Denis Genreau hit an unmarked Cabrera, who waltzed into the box and thumped a rocket past Moss at his near post.

Maclaren completed the rout when he tapped in a Cabrera cross soon after.

The only positive for the hosts was the performance of star Dimi Petratos, who drew two saves from City’s new goalkeeper Thomas Glover.

The No 10 was the only real threat for a defence that claimed just their second clean sheet of the season — and first since round one.

But it wasn’t enough to prevent part of the 8133 home crowd from booing their team from the field at fulltime.

On a sour note for the visitors though, Genreau failed to finish the match after succumbing to a suspected shoulder injury he picked up in the first half.

Meanwhile, despite Melbourne Victory’s horror start to the season, coach Marco Kurz says he believes his side can still turn things around, starting with next Saturday’s derby against City.

The traditional powerhouse have recorded just nine points from their opening 10 games and had to scrap out a 0-0 draw at home on Saturday against Wellington.

“What I can say is that we believe,” Kurz said. “We will work hard during the week to be ready for the derby. We know it’s a big game — it’s not only three points.

“With a good result, we can fight back in a good way and that’s our clear goal — and we are hungry for the game.”

AAP