The Jets were defeated 3-nil by the Heart at AAMI Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Melbourne Heart defeated Newcastle Jets 3-0 at AAMI Park on Saturday afternoon in Round 6 of the Hyundai A-League.
Newcastle was forced to defend as Heart pressed them deep into their own half, but the home side couldn-t take advantage after creating a number of good chances in the first half.
The Hearts’ Jason Hoffman was in the thick of the action early on; and after setting up Melbourne-s first goal in the season opening encounter at Ausgrid Stadium; he almost got the opener once again for the Heart this time at home.
The Heart forced a turnover in opposition territory after having applied pressure on the Jets defence, allowing Fred to pick out Hoffman at the back post after just eight minutes, but he couldn-t guide his shot past Ben Kennedy. Hoffman had another chance just three minutes later after Fred-s initial shot was deflected into his path; but he sent his shot past the back post.
Both sides had chances going forward but went into the break at nil-all after lacking the precision needed to make the breakthrough; Melbourne Heart had the best of the initial proceedings but couldn-t make the most of their position in Newcastle-s defensive third.
Melbourne Heart came out strongly again in the second half and Mate Dugandzic threatened to give his side the lead on 56 minutes with a curling shot from outside the penalty area, it took a fantastic diving save from Kennedy to tip the ball out of the top corner and away for a corner.
The Jets showed glimpses of their attacking ability when a Francis Jeffers back heal and one touch pass from Ali Abbas released Jeremy Brockie in behind the defence but he could only force a corner out of the great piece of build-up play.
Fred capped off a fine performance in his return to the starting line up for the Heart with a goal on 66 minutes, working his way into the penalty area and finishing with a good shot into the top corner for the opener.
Melbourne doubled their advantage just eight minutes later when Mate Dugandzic intercepted a Tarek Elrich back pass to slot the ball under Kennedy to give his side a 2-0 lead.
Aziz Behich completed the scoring for the home side on 84 minutes with a great individual goal after turning Ben Kantarovski on the edge of the area and curling his final shot into the back of the net.
Melbourne Heart dominated possession and field position, and capitalised in a twenty minute period in the second half to secure the 3-0 win.
Following the game, Jets midfielder Kasey Wehrman said the side are looking forward to the clash against the Roar at home and are hope for another packed stadium.
Newcastle will return to Ausgrid Stadium next Saturday looking to keep their undefeated home record intact against league leaders Brisbane Roar.
Match Details
Melbourne Heart FC 3 (Fred 66-, Dugandzic 73-, Behich 84-)
Newcastle Jets FC 0
Saturday 12th November 5:30pm
AAMI Park
Newcastle Jets line up: 1. Ben KENNEDY (GK), 2. Taylor Regan (5. Tiago CALVANO 67-), 4. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 7. Kasey WEHRMAN (6. Ben KANTAROVSKI 80-), 8. Jeremy BROCKIE, 11.Tarek ELRICH, 12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE (c), 13. Sung-Hwan BYUN, 22. Ali ABBAS, 23. Ryan GRIFFITHS, 24 Francis JEFFERS (14. Labinot HALITI 63-).
Substitute not used: 30. Jack DUNCAN (GK).
Melbourne Heart line up: 1.Clint BOLTON (GK), 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Brendan HAMILL, 5. FRED (c)(13.Jonatan GERMANO 82-), 6.Matt THOMPSON, 9.MAYCON (19.Eli BABALJ 54-), 10. Wayne SRHOJ, 11.Alex TERRA (25.Adrian MADASCHI 71-), 16. AzizBEHICH, 17.Jason HOFFMAN, 23. Mate DUGANDZIC.
Substitute not used: 30. Sebastian MATTEI (GK).
