The first half of this affair was uninspiring, Wanderers dominated proceedings with little penetration, but the tie exploded into life in the second 45 minutes.

Entirely against the run of play, Jaushua Sotirio opened the scoring for the home side, latching onto a flick by David Ball to cutely lob the advancing Daniel Lopar.

The crowd inside Eden Park in Auckland - a successful venue for the men in yellow - were taken by surprise given their side’s lacklustre earlier display.

Nicolai Muller squared things up shortly after, running onto a nice through ball to hit it first time past the stretching Stefan Marinovic.

The game fizzled out afterwards until the dying minutes when contoversery arrived.

Ulises Davila’s shot from the edge of the box hit an outstretched hand and after a VAR check the referee pointed for a penalty.

After strong protests by the Wanderers players, Davila kept calm to score his second penalty in consecutive weeks. There was precious little time for Wanderers to recover and Phoenix secured the victory to rise above their opponents in the table and take fourth spot.

Given their struggles early in the season, Phoenix are testament to the A-League’s value for entertainment; there cannot be many leagues in the world this precarious and unpredictable.

Wellington Phoenix

Stefan Marinovic - 7

Muller gave him no chance with his equaliser but the goalkeeper did make some decent stops throughout.

Tim Payne - 6

Payne has coped admirably when filling in at right back and today was no different.

Steven Taylor - 7

Phoenix’s captain threw himself at everything in his customarily brave way, a diving header here, a last-ditch block there.

Luke DeVere - 6.5

The centre back is developing a growing partnership with Taylor beside him. Coped well with Muller and Yeboah.

Liberato Cacace - 6.5

Didn’t get in behind the Wanderers defence as much as he would have liked but always offered his services on the left.

Alex Rufer - 5

Unfortunately had to be removed early for an injury.

Matti Steinmann - 6

Kept it simple in midfield and ventured forward when he could.

Jaushua Sotirio - 7.5

The diminutive attacker was involved throughout and kept running beyond the Wanderers defence. His goal was just reward.

Ulises Davila - 7

He takes a great penalty. Grew into the game in the second half and troubled the centre backs with his trickery.

Reno Piscopo - 6

The quietest of the supporting three attackers. Offered little of note.

David Ball - 6

Always willingly ran into the channels but his first touch wasn’t the best.

Substitutions

Cameron Devlin - 6

Continued the good work of Rufer with controlled play in the midfield.

Callum McCowatt - 6.5

Could have had one or two goals after coming onto the pitch. He’s an eager and effortful attacker.

Gary Hooper - 5

Surprisingly given little time to effect proceedings after his excellent cameo appearance last weekend. His time will come.

Western Sydney Wanderers

Daniel Lopar - 8.5

Easily the best goalkeeper in the league. Stretched his body this way and that to stop Phoenix making the scoreline much more comfortable.

Daniel Georgievski - 6

A major presence in the game. Became the villain for the home support after an altercation in the first half but didn’t shy away, to his credit.

Dylan McGowan - 4.5

McGowan was caught blindsided by Sotirio’s run for the first goal and struggled with his pace constantly.

Matt Jurman - 4.5

Also struggled with the pacy Phoenix attackers. Too slow on the turn.

Daniel Wilmering - 5

Did nothing wrong but was wasteful with his crossing going forward.

Pirmin Schwegler - 6

Was on the end of some forceful challenges from Phoenix but kept at his usual style of play in midfield.

Keanu Baccus - 5.5

Let his frustrations boil over in the second half during an argument with the Phoenix bench.

Bruce Kamau - 5

Ineffective in attack for his side. May lose his place in the starting XI next weekend.

Nicolai Muller - 5.5

The marquee arrival from Germany did score the equaliser but his touch and movement weren’t good enough beforehand.

Mitchell Duke - 5.5

Got into good positions on the left channel consistently but his crosses were either blocked or made it to no teammates.

Kwame Yeboah - 5

Rarely threatened the Phoenix rearguard. Another one looking over his shoulder at those ready to take his place.

Substitutions

Patrick Ziegler - 5

Came on in a reshuffle of the defence but couldn't influence matters enough.

Alexander Meier - 4.5

On for his countryman Muller but had no time to make his impact in attack.