Wellington Phoenix have recorded their first victory of the A-League season, dismantling Macarthur FC 4-1 at Sky Stadium.
With three draws and one loss to open their 2022/23 campaign, the Phoenix took three points for the first time with a clinical display in front of their home fans.
They took the entire first half to open their account through Ben Old, who headed home a cross provided by Callan Elliot from the right wing, beating former Phoenix keeper Filip Kurto for a 1-0 halftime lead.
Although Macarthur equalised through Lachlan Rose, the Phoenix hit back three times to race to a convincing win.
Clayton Lewis rocketed home an inch-perfect free-kick from the edge of the area, hitting the underside of the bar and into the net.
Two minutes later, Ben Waine fired past Kurto for his third strike of the season, after being played through by Sam Sutton on the left, giving the Phoenix a 3-1 lead.
At the other end, Macarthur had a chance of their own with a direct free-kick, but goalkeeper Oli Sail started a counterattack that brought the Phoenix their fourth.
A quick release upfield put Kosta Barbarouses away down the right, finding David Ball, who in turn laid the ball off to off-season signing Bozhidar Kraev to fire home for his first goal in front of his new fans and second of the year.
Victory sends the Phoenix up to sixth on the ladder and into the A-League's playoff places after their first five matches.
Macarthur sit 10th, with one win, two draws and two defeats.
Wellington Phoenix 4 (Old, Lewis, Waine, Kraev goals) Macarthur FC 1 (Rose goal)
