Newcastle's win over Gold Coast take them up table

The Jets coach Branco Culina comment that the NZ-based franchise were not a top side have begun to bear fruit, as the Phoenix have really dropped off the pace, despite the narrow win in a 40 degree heat a few weeks ago - whilst the Newcastle side under his wing, have stormed up the table with four wins since, compared with the 'Nix draw and narrow losses to both Melbourne and Sydney who both were reduced to 10 players.

Hit by injuries and suspensions, the Wellington Phoenix yesterday went again gone down to a 10-man Sydney FC who lost Simon Colosimo following a studs-up tackle which earnt a red card for the effort. It was Sydney captained by a fit Steve Corica whose play led to the Phoenix an Alex Brosque penalty which Corica quickly despatched for the only goal of the game tonight.

The 'Nix had a few chances to equalise but like the Melbourne Victory game, failed to find the net against a well organised defence when they once again have failed to work out how to deal with a 10-man defence.

Thus, Sydney FC have won all 3 games against the Phoenix, and under their new coach, have proven to be a real bogey side with their technical threat up front and with a very tight defence to show up flaws in the Wellington attack, who somehow lack a midfield general and a decent finisher.

The topsy turvey round began on Friday night when a travelling Perth Glory found the going tough against the Robbie Fowler-led side in Townsville, and went down by a solitary goal early in the first half.

2010-11 Hyundi A-League [rd18]:

Nth Queensland Fury David Williams 32' Crowd: 5,287. Ref: Mr Peter Green (). HT: 1-0	1-0	Perth Glory Played at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Central Coast Mariners Crowd: 7,571. Ref: Mr Ryan Sheppeard ( ). HT: 0-0	0-3	Melbourne Victory C Hernandez '57, M Kemp 71', og '77 Played at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Brisbane Roar Crowd: 5,801. Ref: Mr Strebre Delovski ( ). HT: 0-1	0-1	Adelaide United Fabien Barbiero 75' Played at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Newcastle Jets J Wheelhouse 6'; S Rooney 70' S Petrovski 82' Crowd: 5,254. Ref: Mr Ben Williams ( ). HT: 1-1	3-2	Gold Coast United Shane Smeltz 44' [pen], 84' Played at EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle

As a result of the loss to Sydney last night, the Wellington Phoenix have also lost their 14-game unbeaten run meaning a shared record between the two sides for the number of unbeaten games in the A-League. The record had been equalled by the 'Nix when they drew with the current leaders, Melbourne Victory, but today's loss was to the second side in the League.

The Wellington-based franchise also have dropped off the pace just when the intensity is needed as the Christmas break nears, and have only let other sides below them, as the North Queensland Fury and the Newcastle Jets, and Perth Glory have all but overtaken them in recent weeks.

The following is the latest table with the Brisbane v Adelaide game ended in an away win to the Reds, whilst the Victory finally avenged their two earlier losses with an away win at Gosford.

HYUNDI A-LEAGUE TABLE 2009-10 [rd 18]

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Melbourne Victory	18	10	4	4	31	23	34
Sydney FC	18	10	1	7	25	18	31
Gold Coast United	18	8	3	7	25	29	27
Newcastle Jets	18	7	4	7	22	25	25
Central Coast Mariners	18	7	6	6	23	14	24
Perth Glory	18	6	5	7	22	20	23
Wellington Phoenix	18	4	9	5	23	21	21
Nth Queensland Fury	18	5	6	6	20	32	21
Brisbane Roar	18	5	5	8	23	25	20
Adelaide United	18	5	5	8	15	22	20