Tate Russell's second-half thunderbolt ultimately proved crucial for Western Sydney Wanderers in their gutsy 2-1 A-League triumph at Newcastle Jets on Friday.

Wanderers, who earned a first win under boss Carl Robinson against his old club, led 2-0 thanks to Ziggy Gordon and Russell only for Nigel Boogaard to ensure a nervy finish at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Centre-back Gordon headed home James Troisi's seventh-minute corner to get Wanderers rolling.

The impressive Nicolai Muller, who finished with three shots, three key passes and 80.6 per cent pass accuracy, thought he had doubled the lead with a tremendous effort from range, only for Simon Cox (two shots, two key passes) to be ruled offside in the build-up by VAR.

Newcastle had their chances, but Thomas Aquilina somehow failed to make contact with Muller's teasing cross before the break.

Russell was far more clinical when he drilled in Cox's lay-off from the edge of the box just before the hour in an effort of sublime technique.

Boogaard headed the Jets back into the contest when he finished from Ramy Najjarine's assist, the winger proving a great creative force throughout (five chances created, three shots, 79.1 per cent successful passes).

The Jets peppered the visitors' goal from there on in but were unable to find a leveller and have started the campaign with two defeats. 

Last season's beaten A-League Grand Finalists Melbourne City suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of Adelaide United.

City had started the new campaign with a 1-0 win at Brisbane Roar but Sunday's game turned on the dismissal of Scott Jamieson in the 65th minute for two yellow cards.

A poor challenge on Yaya Dukuly saw the left-back given his marching orders and from the subsequent free-kick Louis D'Arrigo pulled the ball back for Tomi Juric to stroke home.

Captain Stefan Mauk doubled Adelaide's lead in the 76th minute as they claimed their first triumph of the 2020-21 season.

Central Coast Mariners have not won more than six games in a season in each of the past six campaigns but now have two wins from two this year after a 2-0 victory at newcomers Macarthur.

Expansion team Macarthur made a winning start to life at Western Sydney Wanderers, yet goals from Daniel De Silva and Jordan Smylie brought them back down to earth this time around.

Calem Nieuwenhof and Luke Brattan scored superb long-range goals as defending A-League champions Sydney FC started their campaign with a 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix.

A-League debutant Nieuwenhof slammed a brilliant strike into the top left-hand corner to put last season's premiers ahead in the 29th minute at WIN Stadium on Friday.

Mirza Muratovic – a close-season signing from Brisbane Roar – got off the mark for Wellington to level the scores on the stroke of half-time.

Another Sydney thunderbolt settled the contest, however, with Nieuwenhof's midfield partner Brattan picking out the top-right corner with a venomous free-kick.

Ulises Davila thought he had snatched a point for Wellington in stoppage time, only for his effort to have diverted in off Tomer Hemed, who was flagged offside.

In Friday's other game, Brisbane bounced back from their opening defeat to Melbourne City by overcoming Melbourne Victory 3-1.

Callum McManaman curled in a delightful finish on his debut to draw Melbourne level after Scott McDonald's opener, but Macaulay Gillesphey's header put Brisbane back ahead on the hour.

With Melbourne pushing for another equaliser – McManaman going close – Dylan Wenzel-Halls broke onto a long ball and, after twisting his way clear of his marker, slotted home to seal the points.

Bobo has returned to Sydney FC, joining the A-League club for a second stint.

The Brazilian striker enjoyed a successful spell at the club between 2016 and 2018, winning two premierships, a championship and an FFA Cup.

Bobo, who turns 36 on January 9, won the A-League Golden Boot in 2017-18.

The former Besiktas and Gremio striker has had spells at Alanyaspor, Hyderabad FC and Oeste since leaving Sydney, but his return for the 2020-21 campaign was confirmed on Friday.

"I enjoyed every moment of my time at Sydney FC, we had a hugely successful two seasons and I want that again," Bobo said.

"The club has hardly missed a beat since, winning both A-League titles and the Premiers' Plate and I can't wait to go for three in a row.

"My family and I still feel like members of the Sky Blue family and for us this is like a journey home.  

"We are looking forward to seeing everyone, particularly all of our members again, and to get going on another exciting ride."

Bobo scored 42 goals in 57 A-League games during his previous stint. Besart Berisha (35) was the next best over the same period.

Of Bobo's goals, 10 were headers, while all 42 came from inside the box. It included 11 penalties.

Sydney begin their A-League campaign against Wellington Phoenix on Saturday, but Bobo is set to complete quarantine and be available for the derby against the Western Sydney Wanderers on January 16.