Wellington Phoenix concede 21 seconds into 4-1 defeat against Newcastle Jets
Friday, 23 January 2026
At McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle: Newcastle Jets 4 (Lachlan Bayliss 1’, Clayton Taylor 56’, Eli Adams 70’, Xavier Bertoncello 89’) Wellington Phoenix 1 (Sander Kartum 86’) HT: 1-0.
Wellington Phoenix have been struck down by the high-flying Newcastle Jets after conceding the fastest goal of the A-League Men season.
A wonder strike from New Zealand under-23 international Lachlan Bayliss after just 21 seconds gave the Jets the perfect start at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night before Clayton Taylor, Eli Adams and Xavier Bertoncello scored in the second half to complete a comprehensive 4-1 victory.
The win was the Jets’ fourth in a row, equalling their club record and lifted them level on points with Auckland FC at the top of the table, proving they are the real deal under first-year coach Mark Milligan.
They are now four-from-four against New Zealand clubs, having beaten the Phoenix and Auckland twice each.
Norwegian playmaker Sander Kartum announced himself to the A-League with a goal four minutes into his Phoenix debut but their late comeback was short-lived as Bertoncello added a fourth for the Jets moments later to kill off the contest.
The Phoenix were playing their second game in six days and were chasing the game from the start.
Bayliss’s goal was seven seconds faster than the goal Auckland striker Sam Cosgrove scored against the Phoenix during the New Zealand derby in November.
The midfielder cut inside from the left and let rip with a powerful strike from outside the penalty area, thumping the ball past a diving Eamonn McCarron and into the top right corner.
The 21-second screamer set the tone for a breathless first half as both teams combined for a whopping 26 shots during an action-packed opening stanza.
The Phoenix produced 11 of them, five on target, but Corban Piper should have done better and finished in the bottom right corner following a clever back-heel from Ramy Najjarine in the 15th minute, while James Delianov produced an epic triple save to deny Najjarine and Ifeanyi Eze late in the half.
The Jets could have easily added to their tally too but McCarron matched Delianov with some vital saves, while joint golden boot leader Lachlan Rose somehow failed to get a touch when Joe Shaughnessy’s header rolled along the goal line.
Giancarlo Italiano turned to his bench at 2-0 down but the Jets scored a third through Adams in the 70th minute while substitutes Paulo Retre, Nikola Mileusnic, Bill Tuiloma and Luke Brooke-Smith were still receiving instructions from the coach.
Kartum joined them 12 minutes later and made an instant impact, scoring four minutes into his debut after joining the Phoenix on loan from Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.
He received a pass from Tim Payne on the right of the penalty area and beat Delianov with a left-footed strike.
But it was too little, too late for the Phoenix on a night where they trailed for 89 of the 90 minutes.
What they said
Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano: “It’s not ideal when you concede after 30 seconds or whatever it is. It was a good goal. Well taken by Bayliss. But I think we need to defend those moments a little bit better.”
The big picture
This was the Phoenix’s first defeat of 2026 after beginning the New Year with two wins and a draw. They remain eighth but are only two points outside the top six and six points off the top of the table.
What’s next
Italiano may be tempted to rush Kartum into his starting XI when the Phoenix host Melbourne City at Sky Stadium next Friday night. The Norwegian made an instant impact after linking up with the Phoenix in Australia last Sunday and could be the difference-maker they need during the second half of the season.