Old goal sends new Nix top of the table

Wellington Phoenix have shot to the top of the A-League Men table after beating Western United 1-0 thanks to a 79th minute winner from substitute Ben Old after benefiting from a VAR review.

Old was flagged for offside after he appeared at first glance to have strayed beyond the last man, following a counter from Kosta Barbarouses.

However, the goal was given following a VAR review, after replays showed Tomoki Imai’s knee was keeping Old on.

Yesterday’s win at Mars Stadium in Ballarat continued the Phoenix’s unbeaten start under new coach Giancarlo Italiano and moved them two points clear of Western Sydney Wanderers.

Italiano is just the fourth coach in A-League Men history to go undefeated in his first six games in charge.

Alex Paulsen produced another immense performance in the Phoenix goal, making numerous saves to frustrate the last-place Western United.

Western created 20 shots to the Phoenix’s 15 but could not find a way past the young goalkeeper.

Paulsen was beaten on one occasion in the first half but the post came to his rescue when Western striker Noah Botic went close with a curled effort.

The Phoenix were also denied by the woodwork when Tim Payne cannoned a shot against the post inside the first 20 seconds of the second half.

Old was injected into the game as part of a triple substitution alongside Sam Sutton and fit-again striker Oskar Zawada.

The Phoenix are back in Wellington for the first time in a month, hosting Newcastle Jets at Sky Stadium next Saturday. Newcastle have only tasted victory once under new coach Robbie Stanton. The Jets squad features two former Phoenix players; winger Reno Piscopo and left-back Lucas Mauragis.