Van 't Schip savages referees, City

Melbourne City coach John van 't Schip has railed against A-League referees and his own players for losing their way in a stunning reversal against Newcastle Jets.

Van 't Schip's side threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to last year's wooden spooners at AAMI Park, where they haven't lost to the Jets in five years.

He had savage criticism for his own side too but the Dutchman unloaded on the officials for what he saw as a lack of consistency and bravery.

One particular decision caught his ire: at 2-1 down at a free kick, referee Jarred Gillett saw a foul by Corey Gameiro when van 't Schip thought the young winger's tumble in the box deserved a spot kick.

"We should have had a clear penalty," he said.

"It's unbelievable that when you're on top of it and you see it happening that he's grabbing Corey Gameiro round, that you're just not brave and courageous enough to point to the penalty spot."

Rubbing salt in the wound was the decision against Wade Dekker on 74 minutes, when Gillett - who refereed last year's grand final - awarded a penalty after hesitating for several seconds.

Up stepped Milos Trifunovic for the first of two second-half goals.

In a season just four matches old, Van 't Schip said it was not the first error he'd seen.

"Again, I say again because it's the third one this year, clear penalties," he said.

"We had another one in the derby with Deng that was more clear and we didn't get it.

"It's not consistent in how they're making their decisions and that's very frustrating."

The City boss said he saw the warning signs after half an hour, when the team "stopped playing".

But he baulked at the suggestion this was the downside of fielding Stefan Mauk and Jacob Melling, both 20, in the centre of the field.

He said his entire team was outfought in the later stages, without a calming influence.

"We gave away our possession and if we don't have the ball ... then of course we're inviting the opponent (in)."