Jets hit back after early red card

Newcastle lost Jobe Wheelhouse to a red card in the first 10 minutes but recovered to record 2-0 win over Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park.

The Jets are now unbeaten in six matches and have moved into the A-League’s top six.

Wheelhouse was shown a red card in just the eighth minute after a clash with Aziz Behich, but the fact they were a man down and were coming off a trip to Townsville did not deter the Jets.

Ex-Arsenal and Everton star Francis Jeffers scored one goal, on 12 minutes, and set-up a second for Marko Jesic six minutes later to put the Jets in firm control of the match. They failed to have a shot on goal after that point.

Heart had a multitude of chances to rescue something from the game, especially in the second half where Jets keeper Matthew Nash, playing just his second game for the club, pulled off several spectacular saves. Rutger Worm and Nick Kalmar also hit the woodwork.

The Heart’s long run of outs continues and they have now picked up just one point out of the past 18, slipping to seventh ahead of Saturday’s derby against Victory.

The frustration was evident for a home side, who tried everything they could to put the ball in the back of the net – with 25 shots to just two – but have now gone 439 minutes without a goal.

Their fortunes are in stark contrast to the Jets, who after going a long period without an away win have now chalked up two in the space of four days. They move into fifth on the table and are starting to hit top form at the right time of the season.

They return home to play Gold Coast United next Wednesday, looking to consolidate their spot in the race for the finals.