Sydney FC went top of the table following a 2-0 victory over Wellington Phoenix at Sydney Football Stadium.

The hosts were made to work hard for the points, though, as it took until the 77th minute for them to make the breakthrough when Brendan Gan headed home Karol Kisel's corner.

John Aloisi sealed the points four minutes later when the striker converted Alex Brosque's cross.

Previous leaders Gold Coast United had their 100 per cent record ended after they went down 1-0 to Newcastle Jets at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

The decisive goal came five minutes before half-time. Tarek Elrich fed Jin Hyung-song and he drove into Gold Coast territory before finding Sean Rooney.

The Jets striker beat defender Sebastiaan van der Brink and rifled a left-foot shot past keeper Scott Higgins to hand Gold Coast their first defeat after four games.

Gold Coast's billionaire owner Clive Palmer had boldly predicted an unbeaten whole first season for his team.