The Phoenix continue to rise from the ashes this season, holding off a late barrage from Warren Joyce's City side after capitalising on a dominant start to the match.

Sarpreet Singh and Liberato Cacace were ever-threatening in the Nix' final third, causing a whole lot of havoc. With a brilliant first-half, Cacace delivered a beautiful cross for a fiery David Williams, who gave the hosts an early lead in the fourth minute.

Where Wellington looked to create at every opportunity, City lacked the intent up forward and looked flat. Diagonal balls from the Phoenix's midfield sparked attack and it was hard to believe that they weren't up by more goals before the break. 

City didn't put up a shot on target for about 60 minutes, until Lachlan Wales fashioned an effort that was denied by Filip Kurto. City continued to bang on the door but Kurto was astonishing. Wellington remained a threat for the remainder of the match, despite a scrappy second period overall. 

Kurto was simply unpassable, a brick wall, and kept his side in the game as Mark Rudan's men held on for the three points. 

Wellington Phoenix

Filip Kurto - 10

Remained untroubled in the first 45, with City providing nothing on target. Came up big at crucial times to deny City and keep them at bay. Herculean efforts from the custodian. 

Tom Doyle - 6

Brilliant slide-tackling in the defensive third. Header was palmed away by Galekovic. 

Andrew Durante - 7

Dominant defending, made crucial clearances and found space, which then broke out counter-attack's and released balls forward.

Steven Taylor - 6.5

Great tackling to stop City's runs, didn't let them inside the box for most of the match.

Louis Fenton - 6.5

Excellent work in the midfield, made positive drives forward and worked well with Singh up forward.

Liberato Cacace - 8.5

Was very prominent throughout the match, took on defenders and passed with accuracy after spotting runs into the area. Had a great burst of energy right from the whistle and showed urgency. His pin-point delivery to Williams for the opener was top class. 

Was all over the park, and made runs back to thwart City's attack.

Alex Rufer - 8

Immense in midfield for the first-half, completing accurate passes and made quick decisions. Pulled the strings along with Sosa. 

Mandi Sosa - 7.5

Worked well with Fenton, with link-up plays and diagonal balls.

Sarpreet Singh - 7

Was threatening and knew when to time his passes, especially with Krishna slipping through the defence. Was dangerous on the counter.

Roy Krishna - 7

Slipped in behind the defence and threatened with dangerous runs in the final third. Had plenty of space and positioned himself well. Had an opportunity to seal the deal in the 90th minute with a one v one with Galekovic, but his second touch let him down with Delbridge breathing down his neck. 

David Williams - 8

Great positioning for a first-time finish on Cacace's cross for an early lead. Almost scored his second in repeated fashion following another Cacace cross. Peeled away from his defender to lay off a diagonal ball to Krishna, in a chance to make it two. 

Subs

Cillian Sheridan - 6

Got himself involved in attack and bombed passes up forward to an on-running Krishna.

Michal Kopczynski - N/A

Max Burgess - N/A

 

Melbourne City

Eugene Galekovic (gk) - 8

Made some huge saves to keep the scoreline at 1-0 for the first-half. 

Harrison Delbridge - 7

Managed to cut-out an attacking play by Singh and Krishna. Was forceful to try and thwart the Nix attack. Was immense in the second-half 

Bart Schenkeveld - 6.5

Better and more dominant defending in the second-half. 

Ritchie de Laet - 4

Flat first half, which goes for the whole team. In the second half, he tried to release the ball but was a touch too heavy. Got in behind and had a crack at goal in the second half which hit the side-netting. 

Nathaniel Atkinson - 5

Great effort to get into the box along the by-line but the Nix defence were too good. 

Scott Jamieson - 4

Was fairly quiet. Did have a shot at goal hit away by Kurto.

Rostyn Griffiths - 5.5

Had trouble marking Singh, as his pace and timely passes were too good. Great pass through for de Laet's chance. Had a better and more influential second half, where he tried to drive his team forward and got on the ball. 

Kearyn Baccus - 4

Couldn't hold the ball much for most of the game. Did deliver a great ball through to de Laet and tried his luck at Kurto.

Lachlan Wales - 6

Didn't provide much up front, nothing was hit on target until his chance in the 62nd minute that was denied. 

Florin Berenguer-Bohrer - 4

Looked to break through at times, but didn't provide much in the first-half. Improved in the second-half. 

Riley McGree - 6

Wasn't heavily involved in the first half. Used his pace well to drive into his attack, but was blocked by Durante in the second 45. Was denied by Kurto in the 65th minute. 

Subs

Moudi Najjar - N/A

Got himself in good postions but needed to do more with the ball. 

Ramy Najjarine - N/A