Five-star Victory dismantle hapless Jets
Melbourne Victory found their form with a 5-0 rout of the Newcastle Jets to move up to third place in the A-League.
Marco Rojas and Adrian Leijer helped Melbourne to a 2-0 lead inside the opening quarter of an hour before Mark Milligan scored the first of his two penalties on the half-hour mark after Taylor Regan fouled Archie Thompson, earning a booking in the process.
Melbourne had already had a goal disallowed by that point and the misery continued for the overpowered Jets in the second half, with Milligan scoring his second from the spot in the 57th minute with Regan again at fault, this time fouling Daniel Mullen to earn a second yellow card and his marching orders.
A Victory side who had also struck the post might have gone on to pile on further goals against 10 men and match or beat their record victory - 6-0 against Adelaide six years ago - but they satisfied themselves with just one more, Rojas getting his second in the 66th minute with a fine individual effort.
Basement boys Wellington Phoenix recorded just their sixth win of the season, edging out Melbourne Heart 1-0 to hurt the visitors' play-off hopes.
Jeremy Brockie got the goal in the 19th minute, and they hung despite the 85th minute sending off of Stein Huysegems for a second bookable offence.