Max Burgess has been challenged to prove his starring role in Sydney's 4-0 win over the Newcastle Jets was not a one-off after powering the Sky Blues into the A-League Men top six for the first time this season.
In just his third start of a campaign beset by a lingering groin injury, Burgess grabbed a second-half double after setting up Patrick Wood for the game’s opening goal with a sumptuous through ball.
English winger Joe Lolley grabbed Sydney’s other goal at Allianz Stadium on Friday as Ufuk Talay’s men condemned the Jets to their biggest defeat of the season.
Sydney move up to fifth on the ladder, while Newcastle are languishing in 10th after one win in their last six games.
Talay urged the mercurial Burgess to make sure electrifying displays like his outing against the Jets become the norm.
"Maxi came in as a No.10 and it’s not like we have a massive luxury of players at the moment within our squad with the injuries that we have,” Talay said.
“He's a fantastic player, a technical player, and he can score goals.
“But the way things work in football is I give the jersey to the player and it's up to them to hand it back to me when they don't want it anymore.
“He did well tonight, so we’ll continue down that path. If he continues the same way he’ll have the jersey the week after.”
Newcastle showed some resistance early but that wavered in the 40th minute, with Burgess able to slip Wood in behind the Jets’ defence.
The striker found the back of the net with a well-executed chip over the on-rushing keeper Ryan Scott to give Sydney a 1-0 lead at halftime.
The Sky Blues were in the mood for more, with Wood having an effort chalked off for offside and Gabriel Lacerda forcing Scott into action once again.
Newcastle had the odd half-chance but Sydney made the majority of the running and Lolley made it count by extending their lead in the 66th minute.
Lolley, who signed a two-year contract extension earlier this week, cut in off his wing, drove into the Jets box and blasted the ball past Scott.
Wood was subbed off for Fabio Gomes soon after and the Brazilian wasted no time getting in on the act, flashing a cross to the back post where Burgess headed in.
Newcastle’s heads dropped and Burgess was able add his second - and Sydney's fourth - burying a low shot past Scott to wrap things up with 10 minutes left.
“It disappoints me that we didn't regroup quickly,” Jets coach Rob Stanton said.
“There’s still some maturing to do from my players and that showed tonight.
“You can see the difference between the two teams - maturity.”
