FIND of the season, Valentino Yuel scored his fourth goal in five games as the Newcastle Jets continued their revival with a 1-0 win over Melbourne City at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
The Jets had the better of play for large periods but it took an opportunist goal from Yuel to secure the Jets a second win and moved them off the bottom of the table.
Angus Thurgate, who produced possibly the play of the day at the death to help prevent a certain equaliser, had a header rebound off the post for Yuel to put away in the 41st minute.
It was another resolute defensive display by the home side and they were rewarded with their first clean sheet of the campaign.
The maiden home win follows a 1-all draw with Western Sydney and 2-1 triumph over Wellington to move them to seven points.
City had their chances but were unable to capitalise.
Interim coach Craig Deans, not in the running for the permanent job a month ago, must now be close to the head of queue.
Management are expected to finalise an appointment this week.
Jason Hoffman was outstanding in his 150th game for the Jets. Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Nigel Boogaard were immense, while Steve Ugarkovic and Thurgate didn't stop.
As expected Deans made one change from the Jets team which drew 1-all with Western Sydney.
Luka Prso came in for his starting debut in place of Ramy Najjarine, who is not permitted to play against his old club due to a league-wide stipulation for players on loan.
With the pacy Yuel and clever O'Donovan leading the line, the Jets looked to expose the space in behind a compact City defence.
But it was the visitors who threatened first. From a turnover, Luna released Jamie Maclaren with a defence-splitting pass but the striker couldn't beat the strong right hand of Jack Duncan.
Stung from consecutive losses, City bossed the opening 15 minutes against a Jets side which continually turned over possession.
Still, it took a great reaction save by Tom Glover to deny the Jets the lead in the 16th minute. Yuel found pace down the right and played a square ball for Hoffman. The veteran took a touch and unleashed from eight metres but Glover did well to get his arms up and block the missile.
The Jets managed to wrestle back control as the half progressed.
They thought they had gone ahead when Yuel headed home a deflected Hoffman shot. However, O'Donovan was in an offside position and referee Alex King ruled that the striker had impeded Glover as he attempted a save.
Momentum had shifted.
Johnny Koutroumbis had a long-range effort whiz past the right post from a well-worked corner.
The goal finally came in the 41st minute. Hoffman swung a cross into the box for Angus Thurgate. His header hit the inside of the left post and bounced into play. Yuel reacted the quickest and thumped the ball into the net from a foot out.
Two minutes later, Hoffman stung the gloves of Glover a second time as Jets went to the break on top.
In the eight previous games that the jets had led City at half-time they collected all three points.
Hoffman thought he had doubled the advantage two minutes after the break when he tapped in from close range but he was flagged for offside.
Maclaren hit a half volley which flashed past the post in the 53rd minute and a minute later Koutroumbis prevented a certain goal with a desperate clearance.
The Jets pushed and probed in search of a second as the half chances started to mount.
City should have equalised in the 72nd minute when Connor O'Toole was dispossessed by Adrian Luna near halfway . The Uruguayan was away and had Maclaren looming up on the outside.
Enter Thurgate who made a lung busting chase and put enough pressure on Luna for him to fluff his pass which was snapped up by Duncan.
Boogaard wasted a golden chance to seal the win in the 76th minute when unmarked at the back post but his header went past the outside of the post.
Luna directed a free header straight at Duncan. A foot either side and it was a goal.
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