The Messiah strikes again

Newcastle United Jets 0 Sydney FC 1

It was tight tense affair at Energy Stadium in Newcastle.

Both Coaches looked to be over coaching producing a defensive cautious struggle.

But it wasn't boring, just tense, as both sides looked to break through but ensuring their defence was strong at all times.

Jets Captain Jade North was very disappointed at the end claiming "Sydney only produced one chance."

Maybe so, but they had plenty of ball, plenty of pressure and kept probing particularly in the second half.

The Jets were strong in the first half but couldn't get through a Sydney defence which again looked a little vulnerable with Tony Popovic alongside Mark Rudan.

But they escaped and Kossie withdrew Mark Milligan into the back three/four in the second half allowing Iain Fyfe and Robbie Milligan to push on.

It worked. With Juninho gone, Sydney controlled the play.

The Jets weren't inspiring in attack against Melbourne last week despite their win and again they lacked something.

Tarik Elrich produced some strong play. From right wing to left back he was switched throughout the game. It suggested Gary Van Egmond was unsure how to play this one.

And The Jets play reflected this.

Mark Bridge again performed well. Lifting his team time and time again with his intelligent play.

Joel Griffith took it to Sydney whenever he could. But without Denni (off early injured) and Stuart Musialik, the Jets didn't have it.

Super Mario came on and a Griffiths superb corner landed on his head. Jardel forced a great save from Clint Bolton and the commentator spoke of Super Mario.

Well there it was the Super Mario moment, and it was super, but Bolton matched him.

Newcastle like all teams in this league will come again. But in front of a passionate crowd they would have loved to have thumped Sydney.

Bottles rained down on Ufuk Talay at one point. The Commentator made light of it. But in Europe such behaviour means playing games behind closed doors, losing points or heavy fines.

It ain't on. Don't tell me Ufuk Talay has had worse in Turkey. Bottles can hit players, ball boys and fans in the front row.

It shakes you up when a full can hits you on the nonce. Especially when you don't see it coming. I know I've had it.

Fox Sports Commentators were, I felt, overly kind in their response.

No-one wants to see the games woes highlighted over and over but this throwing, it needs to be stamped out and stamped out early.

Close the Squadron area for the next home game.

Back to the football.

Sydney are on the march. A structure is apparent. Michael Bridges scored a sweet strike and Kossie has what Branko never had. A striker.

How did Brosque play. Okay but imagine how this performance would have looked without Bridges. Culina never had Bridges and with Brosque on his own Branko and Sydney would never have won this one.

Is Kossie the Messiah or is it Bridges? Next week it's Melbourne away!