Wellington Phoenix have returned to winning ways and got their campaign back on track with an emphatic statement victory over reigning A-League champions Western United.
Taking the field in Launceston, Tasmania, the Phoenix outclassed Western 3-0 to end a three-game winless streak and move to fifth on the A-League ladder for the time being.
Two spectacular goals at either side of halftime, from Yan Sasse and Bozhidar Kraev, gave the Phoenix a 2-0 lead before an Oskar Zawada penalty sealed the victory and three points for the Kiwi side.
In a break down the left, Kraev found Sasse, who cut onto his left foot and shot to beat Western goalkeeper Jamie Young from outside the area for a 1-0 lead.
Then, in the second half, Kraev turned from provider to scorer, as he went on a slaloming run from inside his own half before curling a shot past a diving Young to double the Phoenix's advantage.
And to top the night off, Zawada stepped up to score from the spot, converting a penalty won by Kraev, erasing the ghosts of last week when the Phoenix missed two penalties in a 2-1 loss to Macarthur FC.
"It was a good turnaround from our last three games," said head coach Ufuk Talay. "Overall I thought it was a complete performance for the 90 minutes.
"We were good on the ball, we broke them down and we scored some fantastic goals, probably should have scored a couple more, and defended well as well."
The victory moves the Phoenix up one place on the A-League ladder into fifth but could drop to sixth again on Saturday should Sydney FC defeat Brisbane Roar. The Phoenix return to action on Friday when they face Central Coast Mariners away from home.
Wellington Phoenix 3 (Sasse, Kraev, Zawada) Western United 0
