Central Coast Mariners have crashed the Wellington Phoenix homecoming party, overwhelming their rivals 4-0 in their long-awaited return to Sky Stadium.
More than 18,000 loyal 'Yellow Fever' turned out to welcome their team home for the first time in more than 300 days, but once the contest kicked off, there was previous little for them to celebrate and they weren't required to strip off their shirts over the closing moments - the customary observance of victory.
Beni N'Kololo scored the opener against the run of play in the 25th minute, as the Mariners led 1-0 at halftime.
Two goals within four to Jason Cummings and Moresche virtually ended the contest midway through the second half, with Matt Hatch adding insult to injury six minutes into added time.
The result represented the Phoenix's first home loss since October 2019 and leaves them sweating in fifth place on the A-League table, just two points clear of seventh-placed Sydney FC and three ahead of the fast-finishing Mariners, who overwhelmed Wellington 5-0 earlier this month.
"This was our seventh game in 23 days and it does take a toll on the players,” said Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay. "I thought we started off the game on the front foot.
"The first two goals we conceded, they countered the counter. We should have scored and they've come back and scored, and the second goal was pretty much similar again.
"After that we're chasing the game, which opens up a few more holes for transition and they capitalised on it."
The Phoenix must now regroup to face Western Sydney Wanderers at Auckland's Eden Park next Sunday.
Central Coast Mariners 4 (N'Kololo, Cummings, Moresche, Hatch) Wellington Phoenix 0
