Melbourne City edge Wellington Pheonix to clinch second consecutive A-League Men title

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:57 am
Melbourne City beat Wellington Phoenix to claim the A-League Men premiership title.
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Melbourne City have claimed the A-League Men premiership for a second consecutive season, beating an understrength Wellington Phoenix 2-1 to clinch the title ahead of rivals Melbourne Victory.

Reigning champions City became the second Australian team after Sydney FC (2016-17 and 2017-18) to win consecutive premierships and will now attempt to become the first to complete back-to-back doubles with another grand final triumph.

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City entered the game on 46 points, two behind Victory, knowing only a win would seal silverware.

A couple of hundred Victory fans packed the north end of AAMI Park on Monday night to support Wellington and boo City, but they were silenced after just three minutes when Sam Sutton scored an own goal, with Jamie Maclaren adding City's second in the 10th minute.

Ben Waine sparked the game to life by scoring in the 54th minute, but City hung on to finish top by a point.

Wellington, who could not finish above sixth, were understrength, clearly with an eye to Saturday's away elimination final against Western United.

Gael Sandoval and David Ball were rested while Reno Piscopo started on the bench, with youngsters Riley Bidois and Jackson Manuel making their first starts.

City were full strength bar Curtis Good, who was suspended, and his replacement Taras Gomulka had a hand in both goals.

In the third minute, Gomulka swung in a corner and Sutton headed it over Oli Sail and into his own net.

Shortly after, Andrew Nabbout flicked Gomulka's corner on to the back post, where Maclaren headed home.

With his 15th goal of the season, Maclaren wrapped up a third straight golden boot, and the fourth of his career.

City had multiple chances to extend their lead, including Maclaren hitting the post in the 42nd minute.

Ufuk Talay turned to Piscopo and Clayton Lewis at half-time and they proved game changing.

After the restart, Gary Hooper lofted the ball to Waine, who took a couple of lovely touches then dragged the ball across his body into the far corner.

Wellington had a chance to equalise when Lewis put a free kick on target in the 88th minute but after a nervous double-grab, Tom Glover made the save to preserve City's lead.

City and Victory now have the week off before next week's two-leg semi-finals.