Melbourne Victory moved back to the top of the A-League with a convincing 3-0 win over Wellington Phoenix at the Westpac Stadium this morning.
The visitors were ahead inside the first minute when Besart Berisha picked out Guilherme Finkler with a quick ball forward, leaving the winger to slot the ball in low.
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Victory continued to look the more likely as Fahid Ben Khalfallah tried to head past Glen Moss a few minutes later, but the keeper managed to punch clear.
Nathan Coe had to remain alert early in the second half as Wellington pushed for an equaliser, but the Melbourne keeper made a diving save to deny Kenny Cunningham, injuring himself in the process.
The visitors pushed back down the other end as they sought a second goal, but Finkler's curling free kick was stopped by Moss.
The Melbourne side did get a second just before the hour mark as Berisha and Finkler linked up again, forcing Andrew Durante to turn the latter's sliced shot into his own net.
It did not take the visitors long to score a third as Archie Thompson was left unmarked at the near post, leaving him to chip the ball beyond Moss.
Roly Bonevacia made a run down the other end late on before crossing in for Roy Krishna, but Lawrence Thomas, who replaced the injured Coe earlier in the second half, tipped it wide with his fingertips to ensure that the visitors finished with a clean sheet.
The result leaves Melbourne a point ahead of Adelaide United with a game in hand, while Wellington sit third.
Sian Cowper
