Muscat’s roaring winner was made possible through the impact goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis had at the other end of the field, executing numerous game-saving stops to keep City in the contest as he came into the starting side late for an injured Eugene Galekovic.

Newcastle commanded the game from the start and scored the opener through Andrew Nabbout via a Melbourne defensive error but City had the game level at the break when Ross McCormack converted from the spot.

A change of formation and the addition of Bruce Kamau at half-time swung the game for Melbourne as they took authority in the second half and limited Newcastle’s time on the ball.

NEWCASTLE JETS

Glen Moss (GK) – 6

Didn’t have much to deal with in the first half apart from a few crosses which he generally handled well. He couldn’t do anything about the goals he conceded: a penalty and a thunderbolt.

Ivan Vujica – 6

It took the left-back a few minutes to feel out Nick Fitzgerald down his side of the field, but maintained pace with him thereafter. Never fails in tracking back.

Nigel Boogaard © – 6

Was doing well to keep Melbourne City at bay after an array of counter-attacks in the first half but clumsily gave away the penalty leading to the City equaliser.

Nikola Topor-Stanley – 8

The wizened defender had one of his strongest games in defence. He rarely made a mistake, was alert to everything, covered well and didn’t do much wrong going forward. He’ll be counting his lucky stars after the referee and VAR judged he didn’t foul Bruce Kamau in the box.

Johnny Koutroumbis – 6

Was perfectly average at right-back. The youngster didn’t make too many mistakes, did his best to try and quell a rampant Fitzgerald and made now howlers.

Ben Kantarovski – 6

Kantarovski perhaps didn’t have his most prominent game in comparison to others this season but still thrived in mopping up in front of his defence.

Steven Ugarkovic – 7

Controlling the game from midfield, he constantly drives the game forward. On the downside, Melbourne City’s counter-attacks penetrated the Jet’s half easily and Ugarkovic could’ve done better to screen his defence earlier but recovered when sitting at the top of his penalty area.

Dimi Petratos – 7

Where Ugarkovic drives the game from the middle, Petratos sets the tempo. Newcastle’s quick passes, little knock-ons and shot-taking are led by Petratos when he’s in the vicinity. He loves a long-ranged dig but does struggle to keep them low. His impact tapered as the second half wore on.

Joey Champness – 6

Very busy in the opening stages. He’s composed and shows skills in trying to beat a man, while his size-to-speed ratio made him a big threat but must be careful with giving away needless fouls. He was virtually unsighted in the second half and was taken off.

Jason Hoffman – 7

Has become very well acclimatised to his more advanced role. His runs are generally wide, but when he cuts inside it causes City defenders to jump quickly. He had a few Bambi moments, slipping in the wet conditions and collapsing to the ground in a bundle of limbs. His control let him down at times.

Andrew Nabbout – 8

Even though it originated from a City error, Nabbout’s goal was the product of hard work as he anticipated the ball quickly and held off a much larger Bart Schenkeveld to take the shot. He became more involved in general play with some sweet passes and smart shooting after that.

Mario Shabow – 5

Was introduced in the 72nd minute for Champness. A livewire, he plays as a striker and allows Nabbout into midfield for a change of strategy searching for another goal. Unfortunately for Newcastle it never came.

Devante Clut – N/A

Didn’t have enough of an impact.

MELBOURNE CITY

Dean Bouzanis (GK) – 9

One of the better games you’ll see from a goalkeeper. He had to settle quickly after starting as a late change for Eugene Galekovic and made a collection of fantastic saves in the first half to keep Melbourne City in the game. A few more in the second half, plus improved distribution, earnt him Man of the Match honours. He’s too good to be a back-up.

Manny Muscat – 8

Muscat clouted the winner into the top corner late in the game to earn City the three points, but also played a very good game otherwise. His mentality was more offensive and was alert in winning the ball off the opposition.

Michael Jakobsen – 7

Began in defence and moved into midfield to capitalise when City became aware the Jets were struggling to extend their lead. Him going into the middle simplified the other defender’s jobs and provided a rigidity to Melbourne’s core.

Iacopo La Rocca – 6

Every so often the Italian was suspect of turning the ball over but overall played a good game at the back; part of a unit which limited Newcastle to one goal.

Bart Schenkeveld – 6

He had to be very careful not to foul Nabbout in the box for the opener which ultimately didn’t work out for him. He was turned around plenty of times through the Jets’ attacks in the first half, but didn’t do much else wrong.

Scott Jamieson – 7

Very promising on the left side of defence. Jamieson puts in great crosses and was exceptional in setting up the winner by beating his man down the flank and sending the ball into the area.

Stefan Mauk – 6

Normally at the centre of Melbourne’s midfield operations, Mauk was much quieter in the first hour of the game than usual but worked into it and showed great chemistry with Luke Brattan.

Luke Brattan – 8

The midfielder had an immense second half. His first half was decent, but he took the reigns as the midfield master to guide City to the win. His range and weight of passing still holds up the “pass master” tags he earned at Brisbane Roar.

Nick Fitzgerald – 7

We saw his lateral thinking come to the fore in the wet conditions. His charging runs, dinky passes and ability to control the ball in tight areas is as impressive as any forward in the league. Sparked the equaliser with a world class cross that the Jet’s defence simply couldn’t defend cleanly.

Marcin Budzinski – 5

Made the ridiculous error which led to Newcastle’s opening goal, punting it all the way into his own penalty area. Aside from the mistake, helped on the counters but wasn’t an overly big presence and thus was taken off at half-time.

Ross McCormack – 6

Scored the penalty to equalise the game but was otherwise extremely quiet. He tended to come in a little deeper in the second half as City got on top in the game but didn’t have a huge impact in the conditions.

Bruce Kamau – 6

Kamau gave City the extra spurts of energy and speed they lacked from the first half (aside from Fitzgerald).

Tim Cahill – 5

Played the last 15 or so minutes but had limited impact.