Adelaide United have defeated a depleted 10-man Wellington Phoenix 3-0 in a Boxing Day bonanza for the home fans.
United made it four wins in a row and were too good for their struggling New Zealand counterparts on a day of celebration for all at Coopers Stadium.
With Thomas Doyle and Louis Fenton out for the Phoenix, Vince Lia was forced to become a makeshift centre-back, partnering skipper Andrew Durante. Manny Muscat also shifted to right-back, with the inexperienced Troy Danaskos stepping into the left-back slot in a makeshift back four for the away side.
In a largely cagey opening 15 minutes devoid of any major chances in a relatively even first stanza, Albert Riera became the first player booked after originally giving the ball away in midfield and felling Marcelo Carrusca. Both United and the Nix had a large share of possession but failed to capitalise with any penetrating attacks.
Wellington’s first corner did not come until the 20th minute, when Galekovic tipped a Muscat volley over the bar. Jimmy Jeggo had a long-range strike go wide minutes later, as he found himself running into space on the edge of the box, but he shot narrowly wide of Glen Moss’s goal. A foul by Michael McGlinchey on Galekovic in the 25th minute denied Alex Rodriguez and once again Jeggo struck but Moss saved. The corner was almost converted as Jordan Elsey had a close-range attempt cleared off the line by Bonevacia, as the game began to open up.
After a sustained period of Phoenix possession without a finish, Adelaide finally broke through as Craig Goodwin delivered a vicious low cross that Muscat sliced into his own net. The half finished 1-0 to an Adelaide side in the ascendancy; they were the ones that had showed more intent in the first.
The Phoenix started the second half the better of the two sides and had a golden opportunity in the 49th minute, but Krishna was denied first by Galekovic and then by Dylan McGowan clearing off the line.
READ MORE: How Twitter reacted to Adelaide’s controversial 3-0 win over Wellington
Then came the turning point of the match as Riera received his second yellow in the 54th minute. It was a debatable call, after a studs-up challenge on Roly Bonevacia had not been given as a free kick by the referee minutes earlier. The Phoenix’s first red card of the season was a costly one, as their second half momentum crumbled, and their chances of getting a win from the match evaporated.
Following the contentious red card any Phoenix attacks were quickly quashed by Adelaide, and the remainder of the half was largely spent in the Nix’s territory as the stop-gap defence of the black and yellow battled away without its key consistent shield player Riera.
With 20 minutes remaining, the Phoenix once again capitulated, as Goodwin again caused the Nix trouble and Moss fumbled what should have been a routine save before the ball went over the line. In the 74th minute it was all over, as Michael Marrone scored his first A-League goal to ensure Adelaide took all three points. Goodwin again made himself a menace and hit the post, Sanchez hit the other post, before Marrone’s simple tap-in.
That is where it ended as the Reds edged ever closer to the top six.
Adelaide take the lead through another own goal
It was questionable whether Adelaide United had deserved their lead, as the rejigged Nix back four failed its first test courtesy of a Muscat own goal. Own goals had been the leading scorer for United early on in their season and once again they benefitted as Goodwin’s driven cross was turned in by the luckless Muscat.
Problems mounting for the Nix
They may or may not be in the league next season, but this might not be the biggest problem for the Wellington outfit as its 2015-16 campaign could be all but over as the injuries and losses pile up. With Riera’s second ever red card and suspension looming, Merrick’s woes continue and the A-League’s oldest campaigner will need to mastermind something special to get his team back in contention and drag it free from its current malaise.
Outside90 A-League Player of the Year Votes
3 – Craig Goodwin
2 – Michael Marrone
1 – Eugene Galekovic
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