Bulgarian-born midfielder Bozhidar Kraev has struck again to extend Wellington's stellar start to the A-League Men season with a 1-0 win against Melbourne City.
Kraev's tap-in early in the second half, and a string of top-notch saves by goalkeeper Alex Paulsen, ensured the Phoenix (three wins, two draws) remain undefeated.
City are in early strife with just one win, a draw and three losses after Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren had a penalty saved in Saturday's clash at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.
Kraev cashed in after slick build-up from his Phoenix teammates in the 48th minute.
Wellington's Mohamed Al-Taay split City's defence with a superbly weighted through-ball to David Ball.
The Englishman then crossed to the far post with pinpoint accuracy to Kraev, who couldn't miss from one metre out.
City came within centimetres of equalising when a Leo Natel left-footer from close range in the 57th minute was cleared off the goal line.
And Maclaren was denied a levelling penalty 18 minutes later when Paulsen produced a stunning save.
Maclaren went to the spot after teammate Hamza Sakhi was felled in a tangle with Kraev.
The City marksman hit the spot kick with force only for Paulsen, diving full-stretch to his left, to spectacularly parry.
It was the 21-year-old's second brilliant save of the game: in the first half, he tipped a curling Sakhi free kick over the bar when diving high to his left.
"I'm not sure if he feels the pressure ... there's not a lot that phases him, he's a pretty chilled individual," Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano said of Paulsen.
"I never get the sense that he's stressed or he feels like the moment is too big, he's actually quite in the zone ... that's a good recipe for someone who's going to succeed."
Both sides generated chances in a free-flowing, yet ultimately scoreless, opening half highlighted by Paulsen's save of Sakhi's free kick.
And Paulsen fittingly had the last say, reeling in a Terry Antonis header with one glove in the 96th and final minute.
"We should have got a little bit more out of it than we did," City coach Aurelio Vidmar said.
"Obviously their 'keeper had a pretty solid game.
"We're doing a fair bit (right) but not enough.
"We were getting into a lot of good areas, we were creating some good chances - we're just not clinically putting away chances."
