Daniel Arzani masterclass, Dario Vidosic double sees Melbourne past Newcastle

Dario Vidosic celebrates one of his two goals.
Dario Vidosic celebrates one of his two goals.
Tony Feder/Getty Images

A masterclass from World Cup hopeful Daniel Arzani and two goals from Dario Vidosic sparked Melbourne City to a 3-0 A-League win over Newcastle.

The second-placed Jets had no answer at McDonald Jones Stadium on Easter Sunday, slumping to their second-straight heavy loss and their first scoreless performance of the season.

It was 19-year-old livewire Arzani who boosted his case for a Socceroos squad berth and helped City up to third in the table.

While Bruno Fornaroli and Vidosic got on to the scoresheet, Arzani was the chief creator, regularly beating more experienced opponents and crossing superbly in the first half.

He outshone fellow Russia 2018 prospect Dimi Petratos, who was unable to boost the Jets after their 5-2 loss to Adelaide last week as he returned to the side from his Socceroos debut in a friendly against Norway.

While Newcastle cannot be unseated from second spot behind Premiers' Plate winners Sydney FC with two rounds remaining, their form is worrying ahead of a first finals appearance since 2010.

Riley McGree and Nikolai Topor-Stanley, who moved to equal-third in A-League appearances (261), squandered chances for the Jets in the opening minutes before City dominated the opening half.

Arzani terrorised defender Ivan Vujica but the deadlock remained unbroken deep into the first half when Fornaroli couldn't put away a first-touch shot from his through ball.

Arzani could have won a penalty when it appeared he was held back by Vujica and Fornaroli later hit the bar with a spectacular volley.

But from the ensuing corner, Fornaroli smashed the net from close range when the ball fell to him at the back post.

Vidosic netted his first when he rose above the much smaller Vujica to head home from a corner in the 53rd minute.

The Jets had a decent amount of possession and territory in the second half.

Patito Rodriguez summed up their off evening by a woeful attempt on goal from the 18-yard box with 20 minutes remaining.

They were put out of their misery when Vidosic clinically put a free kick past Jets goalkeeper Jack Duncan with 13 minutes remaining, their standing as the Sky Blues' chief contender becoming increasingly shaky.

Game Information

McDonald Jones Stadium
8:00 AM, 1 April 2018
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Attendance: 11,423