The Phoenix have celebrated their long-awaited return to Wellington with a comprehensive 3-0 A-League win over Western United tonight.
Clayton Lewis (right) and Phoenix teammates celebrate Photo: Photosport
More than a year since their last game at Sky Stadium, after spending the majority of the season based in Wollongong due to Covid-19 border restrictions, the Phoenix were in celebratory mood in front of a record 24,000-plus crowd.
The win kept their slim hopes alive for a top-six finish and a spot in the A-League play-offs, with only three games left in the regular season.
Playing without injured skipper Ulises Davila, the Phoenix took a 1-0 lead into half-time after Clayton Lewis fired home seven minutes before the break.
Two goals in six minutes soon after the restart all but put the result beyond doubt.
Rene Piscopo doubled Wellington's lead with a 57th minute belter, then Israeli striker Tomer Hemed headed home a Louis Fenton cross to make it 3-0.
The Phoenix face a busy week, flying back across the ditch to play Western Sydney Wanderers at home on Wednesday before returning to New Zealand - this time to Auckland - where they'll tackle Perth Glory.