In sapping conditions at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday, the Reds took the lead through Stefan Mauk during a dominant opening and despite Ben Folami's 64th-minute red card the host's increasingly desperate efforts, Carl Veart's side were able to see the game out.
The three points earned see them vault Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory in the standings, albeit the latter can reclaim their spot should they defeat Perth Glory on Sunday afternoon.
Jumping on the Jets quickly, Adelaide could have been ahead in the fourth minute when a heavy touch from Aleksandar Susnjar was pounced on by Archie Goodwin, only for the former Jet to have his effort saved by Ryan Scott.
A bevy of chances followed until Mauk finally converted in the 14th minute, turning in a Goodwin cross that had bounced off Scott to mark his 150th ALM appearance with a goal.
What a start in Newcastle 🔥— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) #NEWvADL https://t.co/48PCpSihv9 pic.twitter.com/7xxYm9BS7FDecember 7, 2024
The Reds had sent in ten shots by the time Lachlan Rose produced the Jets' first in the 21st minute but were unable to prove their dominance into more goals.
And Newcastle, working themselves into the contest, almost made them pay in first-half added time when Rose got on the end of a Clayton Taylor cross at the top of the six-yard box, only for his effort to hammer off the crossbar.
"We weren't clinical in front of the goal, because we could have been up three or four in the first half," Reds defender Bart Vriends told Paramount+.
"But unfortunately we had to fight towards the end of the first half and almost the entire second half because of the red card."
Rob Stanton's side's efforts to engineer a comeback were further aided when Folami was dismissed by referee Ben Abraham after a VAR determined he had collected Phillip Cancar in the face as the two clashed on the ground.
Red card drama in Newcastle 😲🔴 A spicy altercation sees Adelaide United go down to 10.— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) After VAR review, Ben Folami is given his marching orders.Watch #NEWvADL live and exclusive NOW on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/4OEMnwrUfRDecember 7, 2024
"We have to protect players but I don't think there was any intent there to do any harm, and I don't think there was any force there ever," Veart told Paramount.
"So I just don't see how that is a red card."
But despite their best efforts, the hosts couldn't find a leveller in the remaining exchanges and remain in eleventh.
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