Check out all the highlights from the clash between the Victory and the Phoenix at AAMI Park.
A hat-trick from Nikos Vergos has helped Melbourne Victory seal a third-straight win in the Isuzu UTE A-League as they thrashed Wellington Phoenix 5-1 at AAMI Park.
Wellington came flying out of the blocks at AAMI Park and wasted a guilt-edged chance to take the lead in just the fifth minute as a two-on-one in favour of the visitors resulted in Corban Piper firing a tame effort into the arms of Jack Duncan.
Less than two minutes later, that miss would come back to haunt Giancarlo Italiano’s side.
Collecting the ball down the Victory right, Socceroo Nishan Velupillay opened up his body and whipped an inch-perfect cross into the box which was duly headed home by Greek striker Nikos Vergos to make it 1-0.
The home side were controlling the game but Wellington Phoenix were gifted the equaliser in the 29th minute and it’s a moment Victory defender Jason Davidson will not want to see again.
MONDAY NEWS: Roar ready to be party poopers after ‘slap in the face’ result that still stings
Receiving the ball on the edge of his own box from a goal kick, Davidson was subsequently pressed by Ramy Najjarine and within seconds the Victory man had been dispossessed by the Phoenix attacker, who then coolly dispatched his effort beyond Duncan to make it 1-1.
However, despite the scores being level Victory were dominating the ball at AAMI Park and on the approach to half time they regained the lead.
With the Phoenix sitting deep, Victory full back Josh Rawlins whipped another brilliant ball into the box from deep and it was met by a thunderous header from Vergos which flew past Wellington keeper Eamonn McCarron and into the back of the net in the 42nd minute.
Vergos almost had his hat-trick in first half stoppage time as a well worked move resulted in the number nine lashing a shot towards goal which was well saved by Wellington’s young keeper.
Less than two minutes into the second half though and the Greek goal-getter did have his first Isuzu UTE A-League hat-trick.
‘NEGATIVE’: City boss doesn’t hold back after Champions put to the sword
Stationing himself near the penalty spot, Vergos was perfectly positioned to score his and Victory’s third of the evening as he side-footed home Rawlins’ deflected cut back before peeling off in celebration.
If Vergos’ hat-trick hadn’t killed off Wellington then Brazilian Clerismario Santos soon did as the floodgates well and truly opened at AAMI Park.
Robbing Wellington of the ball midway inside their own half, Victory then surged towards their box and when Spanish star Juan Mata fed Santos inside the area the winger promptly fired his low effort beyond McCarron before backflipping his way towards the corner flag in celebration.
10 minutes later, Santos thought he had his second and Victory’s fifth as he slotted Vergos’ through ball into the far corner of the net from a wide angle but fortunately for Wellington they were spared by the VAR due to an offside earlier in the move.
The home side did get their fifth goal though and it came in the final minute of regulation time as Wellington Phoenix were well and truly carved open.
Winning the ball back on the Victory byline, substitute Jing Reec kickstarted a late counter attack and played a brilliant ball into an abandoned Wellington half and into the path of fellow sub Keegan Jelasic who, having raced into opposition territory, cooly rounded the advancing McCarron before converting into an empty net to make it 5-1.
The result sees Victory jump into the Isuzu UTE A-League’s top six after a simply magnificent performance while the defeat is Wellington Phoenix’s fifth of the campaign, a result which sees them sit 10th on the ladder.
WHAT THEY SAID
Hear from Melbourne Victory head coach Arthur Diles after his side’s third consecutive win in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
It was a night to remember for Greek striker Nikos Vergos. He spoke to Paramount+ after the full time whistle.
