The Wellington Phoenix have been beaten 2-0 at Melbourne City in their A-League game.
Phoenix forward Roy Krishna Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Stunning goals from Ritchie De Laet and Bruno Fornaroli returned Melbourne City to winning ways.
De Laet lashed a 25-metre bomb in the opening minutes before Fornaroli made the points safe after half-time at AAMI Park.
City swept aside both Mark Rudan's ordinary outfit and the memory of last week's thrashing by Sydney FC with a confident display.
Wellington's best chance was stymied by referee Adam Fielding, who overturned his own free kick decision with use of the video assistant.
Mitch Nichols' shot on 66 minutes was originally given as handball against Scott Jamieson and might have seen a penalty awarded.
Instead, Fielding used the technology to correctly signal for a drop ball after replays showed the ball struck the City captain's hand at close range while he held it over his chest.
Rudan, who was yellow-carded in the aftermath of the incident, was incensed by the call.
"It changes the game, only for them to turn around and say it wasn't a handball. I don't know what to say," he said.
"You can't even talk to the officials , that's the other problem.
Rudan said the difference was "two quality strikes from outside the box from their marquees".
In contrast, City coach Warren Joyce was happy with a stats sheet that showed 14 shots to five.
"We played some good football . We cut through the lines ... we created plenty of chances," he said.
AAP
