Sydney FC ensured they extended their eight game unbeaten record as they came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw with Newcastle Jets at Allianz Stadium.
The Sky Blues were fortunate to escape with a point from the encounter after an uncharacteristically poor performance.
Newcastle proved a handful for the host’s defence while Milos Ninkovic highlighted why he is one of the best midfielders in the league.
Newcastle piled the pressure on Sydney from the first whistle with their high intensity pressing placing the hosts on the back foot in the opening exchanges of the encounter.
Their intensity paid off and Ernie Merrick’s men opened the scoring on the 10-minute mark as Andrew Nabbout connected clinically with Daniel Georgievski’s cross.
The Jets were unable to maintain their lead for too long as the Sky Blues equalised six minutes later after a superb individual effort from Milos Ninkovic.
The Sky Blues midfielder tore Newcastle’s defence apart as he glided through four Jets players and chipped the ball past a helpless Glen Moss to restore parity for his side.
High on confidence after scoring the equaliser, the hosts almost managed to take the lead as Michael Zullo’s shot deflected onto Georgievski before brushing the top of the Jets’ crossbar.
The two best attacking sides in the league continued to search for their second and the visitors came close after Jason Hoffman hit the back of net however he was denied his third goal in three matches after he was ruled offside.
Ernie Merrick’s side continued to threaten the opposition’s defence when Joe Champness’ chip fell to Nabbout whose volley flashed over Andrew Redmayne’s goal.
The Sky Blues enjoyed a better start to the second half after their poor performance in the first 45 minutes. Graham Arnold’s men had the first chance of the second half as Ninkovic’s cut back landed to an incoming Bobo in the Newcastle penalty area however the Sydney striker failed to capitalise as he scuffed his effort on goal.
Newcastle began to threaten the host’s defence just after the hour mark and took the lead in the 62nd minute after Champness popped up to put his side in front after Sydney failed to clear their lines from a routine Jets corner.
With over 25 minutes left to play Newcastle were forced into their own half as they faced a Sydney onslaught with the Sky Blues going in search of the equaliser.
Bobo offered a narrow miss for the A-League champions when flying past Moss however the ball got stuck at his feet and he failed to fire into the empty net.
However the Sydney marksman eventually found the all-important equaliser when he managed to get on the end of Adrian Mierzejewski’s pinpoint cross with three minutes remaining.
Sydney FC 2 (Ninkovic 16’, Bobo 87′)
Newcastle Jets 2 (Nabbout 10’, Champness 62’)
Allianz Stadium (18,055)
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and James Tesoriero
Fourth Official: Adrian Arndt
Sydney FC
1. REDMAYNE Andrew (gk), 4. WILKINSON Alexander (c), 5. BUIJS Jordy, 6. BRILLANTE Joshua, 7. ZULLO Michael, 9. BOBO, 10. NINKOVIC Milos, 11. MIERZEJEWSKI Adrian, 13. O’NEILL Brandon, 17. CARNEY David, 26. WILKSHIRE Luke.
Substitutes: 8. RETRE Paulo, 18. SIMON Matt, 21. LOKOLINGOY Charles, 22. RYALL Sebastian, 30. HEWARD-BELLE Thomas (gk).
Newcastle Jets
20. MOSS Glen (gk), 3. HOFFMAN Jason, 6. UGARKOVIC Steven, 7. PETRATOS Dimitri, 10. BROWN Wayne, 15. NABBOUT Andrew, 17. GEORGIEVSKI Daniel, 18. KOUTROUMBIS John, 22. JACKSON Lachlan, 24. CHAMPNESS Joseph, 44. TOPOR-STANLEY Nikolai (c).
Substitutes: 12. SHABOW Mario, 19. PETRATOS Kosta, 23. CLUT Devante, 32. THURGATE Angus, 30. NECEVSKI Ivan (gk).
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