Kew Jaliens struck a first-half goal to lift Melbourne City to a 4-0 win over Newcastle, the A-League club he captained just seven weeks ago.

Jaliens broke the deadlock in the 18th minute at AAMI Park on Saturday night, when City skipped two points clear of Brisbane Roar to grab sixth spot on the ladder.

The Jets had few meaningful forays forward but stayed in the contest until young gun Harry Novillo and substitute David Williams netted after halftime.

Iain Ramsay added a fourth, profiting from yet more sloppy defending in the 88th minute.

Brisbane remain favourites to claim the last finals spot on offer, given they have an additional two games in hand following Sunday’s away clash with Sydney FC.

But an outstanding performance, led by Aaron Mooy who teed up Jaliens’ opener with a corner kick, ensured City will keep them honest.

For Jaliens it would have been among the sweetest goals he has ever scored.

The 36-year-old was controversially shown the door by Newcastle on January 28, a day of mass sackings.

It has been hard to quantify what impact the former Dutch international’s absence has had on the cellar dwellers.

It wasn’t on Saturday night though.

In fact it looked as if Jaliens’ former teammates were still listening to his voice, with the defender finding himself unmarked in the box.

Mooy delivered some perfect service and Jaliens did the rest, unleashing a powerful strike that goalkeeper Ben Kennedy could only parry into the back of the net.

Novillo looked dangerous in the opening stanza, but it wasn’t until the 47th minute that he doubled City’s advantage.

Josh Kennedy dispossessed Daniel Mullen in the box, with the Newcastle defenders hanging back and giving the 23-year-old Frenchman plenty of room to score his first goal for City.

Socceroos striker Kennedy was taken off for Williams shortly after, but it failed to stop the hosts’ momentum.

A brilliant ball from Robert Koren split the Jets’ defence, leaving Williams with only the keeper to beat in the 63rd minute.

City’s hopes of clinging onto sixth spot will be hampered by the impending departure of Mooy, who will link up with the Socceroos after Friday night’s clash with Sydney FC.

Defeats to Central Coast and Western Sydney in the past week could also prove costly, but City showed what they’re capable of against the woeful Jets.

– AAP