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AN unrecognisable Melbourne Heart produced its best performance of the season beating Newcastle Jets 3-1 in a dominant display on Friday night at AAMI Park.
Heart recorded its first win in 11 months to ensure it didn't break an unwanted record of 20 consecutive games without a win
A poor crowd of 5046 was on hand to watch Heart's 100th A-League game but the loyal fans were rewarded with a high-octane display where confidence and pride were restored for the battered side.
A brace from an excellent Mate Dugandzic sealed the win after Iain Ramsay equalised via a lucky deflection.
It was Kewell's liveliest performance in a Heart shirt and he controlled the game in the attacking third.
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And marquee Orlando Engelaar made his long awaited debut after recovering from a broken leg, playing the last 31 minutes.
Though Heart is still rooted to the bottom, six points behind second last Wellington, the signs were good for John van't Schip's side and suggested they'll be a much tougher proposition in the final 12 games.
Mate Dugandzic of the Heart celebrates his goal with teammates. Source: Getty Images
The imminent sale is also bound to lift morale.
But the collective sense of relief after the second goal, a Dugandzic header just before half-time after a top Aziz Behich cross, was a good sign while the players appeared to be making up for lost time in the second stanza with Heart unlucky not to put five past the hapless Jets.
Heart had a host of early chances, with Iain Ramsay and Harry Kewell forcing a good saves from Mark Birighitti inside seven minutes.
Heart appealed for a penalty midway through the first half when Birighitti collected David Williams but replays showed he got the ball first.
Taylor Regan gave Newcastle Jets the lead at AAMI Park. Source: Getty Images
Williams needed treatment and unfortunately for him his night was soon over, with Michael Mifsud earning a reprieve within 32 minutes after being dropped.
Moments later the Jets opened the scoring when stopper Taylor Regan headed home former Heart winger Craig Goodwin's corner.
Van't Schip told the players to be more mentally resilient and the message was clearly heeded as the Jets goal sparked the home side into action.
Mifsud struck a venomous shot from distance but it wasn't long before Heart equalised, with Ramsay striking from the edge of the penalty box _ via a wicked Kew Jaliens deflection _ after Kewell headed it down for him.
Harry Kewell of the Heart heads the ball in front of Ken Jaliens of the Jets. Source: Getty Images
And Heart had a second in first half stoppage time when Behich sent in a brilliant low, zipping cross tucked away by a neat Dugandzic header.
Jets coach Gary van Egmond made a double sub at half time, withdrawing James Virgili and Sam Gallaway for James Brown and former Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory player Nick Ward, who was making his Jets debut.
The pair made the Jets more threatening with Brown forcing a good save from Redmayne.
But after taking a bit to settle it was Heart next on the scoresheet with Ramsay releasing Dugandzic who cleverly tucked it under Birighitti.
Mifsud, Kewell and Dugandzic all had chances to make the scoreline uglier for the Jets but failed to capitalise.
It didn't stop the players from celebrating with the patient fans well after the final whistle.
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