Newcastle jets keeper hospitalised in Sydney FC win

A furious Newcastle coach Scott Miller lashed out at a tackle that sent goalkeeper Mark Birighitti to hospital in their heartbreaking 1-0 A-League loss on Saturday to Sydney FC.

Birighitti was forced from the field after copping a stray Shane Smeltz boot to the face as he raced to collect a through ball midway through the second half.

Miller labelled the incident as "outrageous", "disrespectful" and "reckless".

"If you look at his mouth, for me, that's not on," Miller said.

"Irrespective if it's a mistake or unintentional, it's not right."

Sydney coach Graham Arnold revealed his veteran striker was a distraught figure in the post-match dressing room.

"He said to me after it happened (that) his head was gone," Arnold said.

"He wished we'd had another sub so he (Smeltz) could've come off.

"Let's hope he recovers quickly and well."

The tackle soured a gritty defensive performance from the Jets, who held the visitors at bay for 88 minutes before Alex Brosque nodded home an Alex Gersbach corner at the near post to ruin Miller's first match at home.

Last year's grand finalists enjoyed more than 60 per cent of possession but looked headed for a frustrating scoreless draw when they botched two simple chances late in the second half.

Not long after his controversial collision with Birighitti, Smeltz blew a one-on-one chance with replacement gloveman Ben Kennedy.

Then a low shot from Brosque hit the woodwork.

Defender Sebastian Ryall was also booked for simulation earlier in the half, as the side searched for the game-winner.

"When Brosque hit the post, I thought maybe it's not going to be our day," Arnold said.

"But look, we controlled 89 minutes of the 93-94 minutes."

The first half was a see-sawing contest, with the hosts' direct strategy contrasting with Sydney's desire to hold onto the ball with short passing.

The first chance of the night fell to Jets striker Milos Trifunovic, but his spectacular left-foot volley from a Enver Alivodic cross flew above the bar.

A similar effort from Sydney's Chris Naumoff also soared over.

But the Sky Blues dominated after the main break, finishing the match with 18 total shots to four.

Jets winger Labinot Haliti came off with a knee injury in the first half, while defender Benjamin Kantarovski was handed a yellow card for a crude two-footed challenge on Naumoff that is likely to draw attention from the match review committee.

4:57 AM