Perth Glory 2
Phoenix 1
Perth Glory returned to the top of soccer's A-League with Robbie Fowler playing provider and finisher as the Wellington Phoenix's wretched away record continues to blight their title aspirations.
Perth's 2-1 home victory leaves them level with the competition's only unbeaten side, Adelaide United, after five rounds while the Phoenix reside in eighth place.
Former Liverpool striker Fowler's vision was the catalyst for the Glory's opening goal and after his feet repeatedly let him down he headed the clincher in the 61st minute after again exposing Wellington's defensive frailties.
Perth's victory extends their unbeaten home record to 10 games, for the Phoenix there was only the scant consolation of Ben Sigmund's free header in the 72nd minute -- their first goal on the competition's longest road trip in four attempts.
Although the Phoenix captivated the nation by making the playoffs for the first time last season, their progression was in spite of a poor record of only three away wins in 14 attempts -- 14 points from a possible 42.
That alarming trend appears to be continuing in 2010-11 as the Phoenix followed their 0-1 loss in Brisbane last weekend with another concerning excursion.
Fowler's sweeping left foot pass set the Glory's opener in motion in just the sixth minute when Todd Howarth latched on the ball outflanked an undermanned defence and squared to Mile Sterjovski for a virtual tap-in past a stranded Mark Paston.
It was ominous sign for the Phoenix defence who were fortunate not to fall further behind to another pinpoint Fowler delivery.
Sterjovski, impressive on his return from an ankle injury, was harshly adjudged to be offside and was booked when showing his displeasure by continuing to play on a chip into Paston's net.
Fortunately for the Phoenix Fowler's predatory instinct in front of goal was lacking in the first spell as the former England striker's first touch twice let him down.
He chested down a perfect diagonal ball from dominant Scottish midfielder Steven McGarry but he lost control under pressure from Sigmund.
Fowler was closed down again in the 36th after precise lead-up work from Howarth and McGarry and then fluffed another opportunity in the box when he miscued a Sterjovski pass that admittedly was directed slightly behind him.
A skewed free kick after Daniel was booked in the 45th minute on the edge of the area probably ranked as among the worst dead-ball set up of the Englishman's career as it flew towards the stand, but his creativity playing deep in front of the Glory back four could not be underestimated.
He frequently exposed the a risky defensive alignment while McGarry and Adriano Pellegrino ruled the centre of the park so impressively Tim Brown was substituted at halftime for debutant Nick Ward, a new signing from the Melbourne Victory.
Striker Dylan Macallister was also spelled at halftime for another newcomer Mirjan Pavlovic.
Macallister received few opportunities in his target man role while Paul Ifill had the best of the Phoenix's few first half chances when his shot was cleared off the line by Naum Sekulovski in the 17th minute. Brown's unhappy half was compounded when he was unable to make a decent connection with a teasing Daniel cross.
The Brazilian, who had not started a match since the 1-1 draw with Adelaide in December last season, made amends for caution when he headed a goal-bound Sterjovski shot over the line in the 54th minute.
But Fowler duly established the two-goal buffer when he glanced a Sterjovski cross past a flailing Paston.
Perth's heat finally beat Fowler into submission 13 minutes for time and coach Dave Mitchell also made an inspired replacement when Anthony Skorich beat the offside trap, though not Paston, with an early touch.
Striker Chris Greenacre almost nicked a point for the Phoenix in the 83rd but his flick from a Leo Bertos cross, who came off the bench for Daniel, drew a sharp reaction save from Tando Velaphi.
The eighth-placed Phoenix embark on the long trip home where they host champions Sydney FC on Saturday.
- NZPA
