Milanovic hat-trick powers Wanderers to win over Jets
Hat-trick hero Nicolas Milanovic has fired Western Sydney to a 4-1 victory over Newcastle for their first win of the A-League Men season.
Socceroos hopeful Milanovic opened the scoring on Friday night with a first-half double before cooly converting a penalty to light up CommBank Stadium – and send a message to Tony Popovic.
Winless across the opening three rounds after two losses and a draw, the Wanderers’ much-needed win takes some pressure off new coach Alen Stajcic
Meanwhile, Newcastle will return home with much to think about after their third defeat in four games.
The Jets started brightly when Eli Adams found the back of the net in the 18th minute after a cutback from Brazil’s Wellissol, but his goal was chalked off after it was found Wellissol was offside.
Adding to their frustration, Western Sydney bagged the first score when a Milanovic kick deflected off their defenders.
Earning a free kick after Mark Natta tripped over newly recalled Socceroo striker Brandon Borrello, Milanovic sent the ball home in the 22nd minute from outside the box.
The 22-year-old midfielder, who has been outspoken about his aspirations to force his way into Popovic’s national squad, then picked up the ball from Gabriel Cleur to bury his second goal less than 15 minutes later for 2-0.
Cleur then linked up with youngster Zach Sapsford in the 55th minute to extend their cushion to three goals.
But the hosts could not maintain the clean sheet, with an error by Jeong Tae-Wook opening the door for the Jets.
The Korean import was found to have tripped defender Clayton Taylor, and Jets captain Kosta Grozos easily converted the penalty at 67 minutes for the long-awaited Newcastle goal.
Western Sydney restored their lead when Natta echoed Jeong’s foul on Milanovic just four minutes later, with the Wanderers star completing his first career hat-trick.
The Wanderers’ Juan Mata joined the fray in the 84th minute when the game was all over.
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