The Wellington Phoenix have beaten the Perth Glory 2-1 in Perth thanks to two Roy Krishna goals, to claim the outright top spot in Australian football's A-League competition.
Wellington Phoenix celebrate Roy Krishna's goal against Western Sydney Wanderers. Photo: Photosport
Krishna struck in the 24th and 78th minutes, his opening goal after a low cross from right back Louis Fenton wasn't immediately cleared and the Fijian international pounced to deflect the ball past the Perth keeper, former Phoenix custodian Danny Vukovic.
If that was a little opportunistic, Krishna's match-winner after the Glory equalised four minutes later, through a long-range rocket from Ruben Zadkovich, was pure class.
Alone in the box with two Perth defenders surrounding him late in the game, Krishna turned his immediate marker then the 27-year-old slammed home a left-footed strike inside Vukovic's near post.
The Phoenix took top spot for a few hours last weekend for the first time in their history, following their home win over Adelaide, only for Perth's draw at the Melbourne Victory to take the Glory one point above the Wellington side.
The Victory then overtook Perth on Friday night with a 3-0 away win over the Western Sydney Wanderers - but the Phoenix are now top by two points from the Victory with their win over the Glory - their first this season in Perth or against the same opposition - and with six games remaining, a home playoff position beckons.
"A few of the boys have nose bleeds. They're not used to it," Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick says. "It's a good feeling. It makes the flight back a bit easier. It's not an easy place to come and win."
But the Victory do have a game in hand on the Phoenix and Perth.
Elsewhere, Melbourne City thrashed 4-0 the visiting Newcastle Jets to move up to sixth, taking the last playoffs place for now.
