An Emile Heskey double in the space of three minutes pushed the Newcastle Jets to the top of Australia's A-League following a 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory in Newcastle on Friday.
The former England international made it four goals in as many games with two opportunistic second-half goals for the Jets' third straight win.
Former Liverpool striker Heskey, 34, became 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 Australian international striker Archie Thompson but failed to build on a breakthrough win over Adelaide last weekend and have now lost three of their opening four games.
Heskey turned the game after the break, forcibly meeting a great cross from young defender Josh Brillante in the 53rd minute to put the home side ahead.
The big frontman made the most of sloppy defending from Socceroo Mark Milligan and he capitalised again three minutes later, neatly converting a close-range chance as the Victory failed to clear a corner.
Thompson put the Victory back in the game in the 70th minute when he pounced to head in a wayward clearance from Brazilian Tiago Calvano but the Jets held on to move to the top of the league.
Source: AFP
