Wellington Phoenix caused a stunning upset in the Hyundai A-League on November 28, as they came from behind to down league leaders Melbourne Victory 2-1 at Westpac Stadium, much to the delight of the 7953 fans present.
In recording a record third successive win, and their first-ever victory over Melbourne, the home team produced their best display yet, contributing much to an enthralling encounter which offered much in the way of open, entertaining play, yet which found both defences in outstanding form.
Wellington's Andrew Durante and Melbourne's Kevin Muscat, the respective captains, led their teams by example throughout this vibrant affair, one which zipped along at a cracking pace from the outset, and which saw Mark Paston produce three fine saves to deny successive attacks from the eighteenth minute.
The lanky custodian got down well to turn a Tom Pondeljak drive round the post, then tipped Danny Allsopp's header over the bar in spectacular fashion following Pondeljak's angled corner.
Billy Celeski whipped in the next set-piece, which Wellington failed to clear. Muscat stepped forward to unleash a fifteen yard drive which Paston again tipped to safety. But it was only delaying the inevitable, and when Celeski's 21st minute corner came in, Ney Fabiano climbed all over Tim Brown to head the ball goalwards.
The ball hit the post, and rebounded straight to Allsopp, who headed home from close range to open the scoring. Wellington players instantly began to direct filthy looks at referee Craig Zetter, incensed at Brown having been used as a step-ladder by Ney Fabiano in the build-up to the goal.
The official wasn't having a bar of their protests, however, so Brown went about redressing the balance in the best manner possible. Straight from the resumption, Wellington earned a free-kick on the right which Leo Bertos fired into the danger zone.
Melbourne failed to clear the threat, and were horrified when they saw the ball heading straight to the unmarked Brown some fifteen yards from the target. The midfielder executed a difficult volley splendidly, driving the ball into the turf off which it bounced over the diving figure of Michael Theoklitos - 1-1 after 22 minutes.
Within seconds, Wellington could have taken the lead. Tony Lochhead sent Shane Smeltz sailing clear down the left with just Theoklitos to beat. But the striker hesitated, allowing Melbourne's swarming defence to get back and close him down.
After this flurry of goalmouth action, the half resumed the thrust and parry pattern it had established in the opening quarter-hour, as both defences held firm in the face of enterprising attacking play which, on another day, would have seen opportunities galore coming to pass.
Instead, opportunities were few and far between, and the next one didn't materialise until the 52nd minute. Fred, playing against his old club, worked a one-two with Smeltz which saw the Brazilian set sail for goal. But he was denied when in full flight by a superbly timed Roddy Vargas tackle.
Two minutes later, Bertos buccaneered down the right and got in behind the Melbourne defence to whip in a low cross from the by-line. Theoklitos parried it, straight into the path of Lochhead, who thrashed the ball into the hoardings as the stranded 'keeper struggled to recover his ground.
Back came Melbourne two minutes later, Allsopp and Archie Thompson combining to present Ney Fabiano with a chance. But much like Vargas had done moments earlier, Ben Sigmund produced a tackle of similar quality and substance to thwart the striker.
These two interventions were the best examples of the standard of defending which was in evidence throughout proceedings. But Melbourne had no answer to a moment of individual brilliance which ultimately decided the outcome of this encounter in the 58th minute.
Brown and Durante linked with the hard-working Jon McKain, who played the ball in to Smeltz, some thirty yards from goal and with Michael Thwaite for company. A deft turn later, the defender was trailing in the striker's wake as he set sail for goal, Vargas and Muscat the obstacles between him and Theoklitos.
Upon getting to the edge of the penalty area, and with both defenders in close attendance, Smeltz unleashed a snorter, his deft curling effort arcing around Theoklitos before crashing into the top right-hand corner of the net - a brilliant strike!
Smeltz looked to build on Wellington's 2-1 lead in the 72nd minute, sending a twenty-yarder sizzling over the bar after working an opening with Fred. The duo combined again nine minutes later for Bertos' benefit, but he failed to capitalise on the opportunity.
Melbourne weren't out of it yet, however, and substitute Carlos Hernandez gave the home team plenty of cause for concern upon his introduction to the fray. But his best effort, a shot on the run from twenty yards two minutes from time, was smothered by Paston.
His save was the last act of note in a memorable encounter, one which saw Wellington record a first-ever victory over the league leaders, and leaves them well in play-off contention in fifth place, five points off the lead, but just a win away from second-placed Adelaide United, whom they visit on Friday evening.