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Double trouble ... Emile Heskey the first of his fantastic goals against the Victory. Source:AAP
Emile Heskey and Newcastle Jets continued their flying starts to the A-League season as the striker scored both goals in a 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory on Friday night.
The former England international struck with two opportunistic goals in front of 13,912 fans at Hunter Stadium, moving him to the top of the league's scoring chart with four goals in as many games.
The second half strikes secured the Jets a third straight win, ensuring their best start to an A-League season.
| P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newcastle | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| 2 | Adelaide | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 3 | Perth | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 4 | Wellington | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 5 | Brisbane | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| 6 | Central Coast | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 7 | Heart | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 4 |
| 8 | Sydney | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 3 |
| 9 | Victory | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -6 | 3 |
| 10 | Western Sydney | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
While Sydney FC's marquee star Alessandro Del Piero has been hogging most of the competition's early headlines, former Liverpool striker Heskey has proven a revelation himself.
The 34-year-old becomes the first Jet to score in three successive games since Johnny Warren medallist Joel Griffiths in the club's championship-winning 2007/08 season.
The Victory hit back late through Archie Thompson but failed to build on a breakthrough win over Adelaide United last weekend, leaving coach Ange Postecoglou with plenty to ponder after three losses from four games.
The visitors had looked the most dangerous side in a scoreless first half, and could have gone ahead in the second minute had Marco Rojas not wasted a great chance.
Only two great stops from Mark Birighitti prevented the Victory from taking a lead into the sheds at halftime.
The Jets' gloveman used his legs to deny Thompson from close range in the 37th minute before tipping over a curling, long-range effort from Adam Traore.
Heskey turned the game after the break, storming onto a great cross from young defender Josh Brillante in the 54th minute to put the home side up.
The big frontman made the most of some sloppy defending from Mark Milligan and he capitalised again two minutes later, neatly converting a close-range chance as the Victory failed to clear from a corner.
Thompson put the Victory back in the game in the 71st minute when he pounced to head in a wayward clearance from Tiago Calvano but the Jets held on to move atop the competition table.
Jets coach Gary van Egmond was not happy with aspects of his side's performance and didn't hold back his thoughts in an animated halftime speech to his players.
However he was thrilled with their ability to grind out another win.
"What I'm really, really pleased with is their attitude and their desire to win the game,'' van Egmond said.
"We still can be better in regard to our performance ... but result-wise it's been terrific.''
Heskey came off late due to a tight hamstring as a precaution and van Egmond was delighted with his output.
"It's fantastic. Four (goals) in four games so from that respect it's a great return,'' he said.
While disappointed with a loss, Postecoglou was upbeat about the fact his men were in control for most of the game.
"I thought it was a step forward for us tonight,'' Postecoglou said.
"I thought that was the best we've played.
''... It should have been our game but in our sport there's a fine line between winning and losing and when you don't take your opportunities you fall on the wrong side of that line.''
