Striker Alex Brosque's first-half goal gave Sydney FC a 1-0 win over Newcastle in their A-League clash at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Brosque's cool 36th-minute finish spurred the home side on their way to their second consecutive win, consolidating their spot in the top four after they were languishing at the bottom of the table only two weeks ago.

Sydney welcomed back Brazilian playmaker Juninho from a three-week lay off with a shoulder injury and it reaped instant dividends.

The diminutive midfielder gave FC plenty of spark, tormenting the Jets' defence with menacing through balls and setting up Brosque's winner with a pin-point, left-footed long ball.

Sydney FC coach Branko Culina, while admitting his team still lacked the "killer instinct" to put the result beyond doubt in the second half, was encouraged about the growing confidence in his squad.

"The result was very important, considering where we are, and where we want to be and basically it also puts us in good stead for next week against (reigning premiers) Melbourne," Culina said.

"We're no Manchester United, but we're growing in confidence.

"Last week (1-0 win over Queensland Roar) was terribly important for the players to regain confidence that had been lacking since the (Asian) Champions League." Match-winner Brosque, whose two goals this season have both been set up by Juninho, praised the Brazilian World Cup winner's impact.

"He's only played three games with us, but just from training ... the guy is in a different class," Brosque said.

"He's always looking forward when he gets it ... even when it's not an option he still goes forward.

"As a forward playing off him, it's a joy for me." Jets coach Gary van Egmond was encouraged despite the loss.

"I thought the effort was tremendous," van Egmond said.

"For long periods of the game we were definitely in it ... it was just too big a hurdle for us to get over."

The 34-year-old put Brosque into space, before the striker calmly turned inside Jets defender Jade North before slotting the ball home for his second goal of the season.

Newcastle, who suffered a blow shortly before kick-off when striker Joel Griffiths re-injured his quad in the pre-match warm up, created few chances against Sydney's solid defence.

Despite the loss, Newcastle's first of the season, they remain in second place on the table behind Central Coast.

Juninho's former Brazil teammate Mario Jardel was handed his first start for the Jets, but couldn't get in the game and was still clearly off the pace before being substituted at halftime.

Newcastle's best chance of the half did fall to Jardel, who controlled an Adam Griffiths through ball well, but produced a rusty effort in scooping his shot well over the bar.

After Brosque had opened the scoring, Griffiths missed a golden chance to get the Jets level early in the second half when his header off an Adam D'Apuzzo free kick went just centimetres over the bar.

Sydney could have extended their lead midway through the second half but failed to capitalise on a handful of chances.

Ruben Zadkovich came close with an ambitious volley in the 61st minute before Brendon Santalab flashed a header wide just minutes later.

Juninho then missed a great chance to open his A-League goal account after firing a close-range shot across the face of goal before Ian Fyfe's header also failed to trouble Newcastle 'keeper Ante Covic.

Newcastle's Brazilian midfielder Denni could have equalised in spectacular fashion in the dying minutes but could not get enough power on a bicycle kick to trouble Clint Bolton.

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