A-League Review: Ninkovic late show settles Big Blue

Milos Ninkovic’s deflected injury-time goal secured a 2-1 A-League win for Sydney FC over Melbourne Victory in the Big Blue on Saturday.

Sydney took an early lead when Brandon O’Neill fired home a superb left-footed strike from outside the box to delight the home crowd.

But Victory levelled it up after Kosta Barbarouses collected Keisuke Honda’s fine throughball and lifted a delicate finish over Andrew Redmayne.

It looked as though the spoils would be shared until Siem de Jong escaped down the right and picked out Ninkovic, who got his shot away at the second attempt and saw it bobble into the bottom-left corner via a defender.

The win moves Sydney four points clear of Melbourne in the second place, and three behind leaders Perth Glory. 

FT | A last gasp winner from the maestro Ninkovic seals a vital three points for @SydneyFC to close the gap on @PerthGloryFC and move four points clear of @gomvfc with three games to play.#SydneyIsSkyBlue #ComeWithUs #BigBlue pic.twitter.com/Pg3lVg2kQn

— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) April 6, 2019

Newcastle Jets kept alive their slim finals hopes with a dramatic 3-2 home triumph over Western Sydney Wanderers.

The Jets now sit five points behind sixth-placed Adelaide United, who play their game in hand on Sunday, courtesy of teenager Angus Thurgate’s first A-League goal.

Rashid Mahazi had put the visitors ahead at the break, but Roy O’Donovan levelled matters before goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic punched Dimitri Petratos’ corner into his own net.

A long-range equaliser from Keanu Baccus looked set to earn the Wanderers a point, only for substitute Thurgate to clinch it with a cool finish eight minutes from time.