Free-scoring Sydney FC produced an extraordinary three-goal burst in the first seven minutes and then weathered a Newcastle fightback to score a 4-2 Liberty A-League away win over the Jets.
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Sydney’s sixth straight win took them top above Melbourne City, who play on Sunday.
The Sky Blues netted four goals for the third time in their last four games, as they racked up an eighth straight win over Newcastle.
The visitors ruthlessly capitalised on some costly early Jets turnovers at the No.2 Sportsground in Newcastle where spectators witnessed four goals in the first ten minutes.
Newcastle got back to 2-3 early in the second half, but Princess Ibini clinched the win by sending Jets goalkeeper Claire Coelho the wrong way from the penalty spot after the Sydney forward was pushed in the back by Teigen Allen.
Sydney took just 19 seconds to open the scoring, with American Madison Haley catching Newcastle napping, as she dispossessed Taren King and rounded the goalkeeper Claire Coelho.
“We were pretty hot off the blocks today, Maddy pounced on the first one and we gained momentum from there,” Sydney’s Sarah Hunter said.
“We were all wanting to score in the first ten minutes but then they pegged one back which brought us back to reality.”
Hunter scored the second in the third minute after another Newcastle turnover and MacKenzie Hawkesby added a third in the seventh.
“Maybe within that six minutes it was a case of shock, lack of focus and scrambling to get themselves calm again,” Jets coach Ash Wilson said.
The shellshocked home side pulled a goal back In the tenth minute when Lauren Allan unselfishly set up Adriana Konjarski and Sydney goalkeeper Katie Offer then did well to push away a powerful Tara Andrews free kick
Sydney peppered Coelho with several shots late in the first half, but the Jets got within one goal a couple of minutes into the second half.
Tara Andrews poked the ball over the line from close range from a corner, the first setpiece goal Sydney had conceded this season.
Ibini’s spot kick gave Sydney breathing space but neither side created too many clear-cut chances in the final half-hour.
“The second half I thought the girls came out well, they had good energy and they had a little bit more composure,” Wilson said.
