If there were any doubts about the rejuvenation of the Wellington Phoenix this year, this performance surely put them to bed.

On a three-match winning streak, Mark Rudan’s side came to Melbourne, facing a Victory side that was without Keisuke Honda but eyeing top spot at home.

And for much of Friday night’s clash, they made the AAMI Park turf their own.

Wellington took it up to the Victory from the opening minutes, with the two sides trading fine chances in a goalless first half.

But it was the Phoenix’s attacking intent and endeavour that set the tone throughout the game.

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“Outstanding. For me, the ability to be flexible and the transition we’ve seen from this team is brilliant,” former Newcastle Jets coach Scott Miller said on Fox Sports’ coverage post-match.

“And it comes down to one man (Rudan) creating the belief to the playing group, but most importantly the application we saw tonight.

“They controlled the ball in key areas, they didn’t necessarily play on transition, they were really patient in the attacking half, created some great chances as well – a joy to watch.”

In the 62nd minute, Wellington’s hard pressing paid off when they forced a turnover, with Sarpreet Singh then finding David Williams.

The forward then cut inside Storm Roux and scored a delightful long-range strike.

When the entire Wellington bench — including Rudan — celebrated the goal, it showed a togetherness that’s previously been missing from this side.

Phoenix celebrate (AAP Image/David Crosling) Source: AAP

“We’re loving it. It’s together, it’s a club that’s together off the park, we’re really strong, we’re united,” Phoenix captain Andrew Durante said on Fox Sports’ post-match coverage.

“And that’s come from Rudan. He’s instilled that into us. You can’t fake that stuff – that’s a real belief in ourselves, that’s passion.

“We’re loving it. We’re the underdogs – no-one’s given us a chance here and we feel that, we believe that we can maybe shut some mouths up and do each other proud, do the city of Wellington proud.”

The performance, which saw the Nix largely defend with aplomb and create chances aplenty, summed up the club’s transformation.

Early in the season, Rudan employed a dour defensive game, before gradually transitioning into a high-pressing, high-energy game.

“We’ve done a lot of work, obviously at the beginning of the year we worked really hard on our defensive structures and you probably saw a team that was more defensive than attack,” Durante said on Fox Sports’ post-match coverage.

“Our fitness levels probably weren’t where they needed to be to be able to play this pressing game and once we started playing this attacking mindset, pressing them hard, we’ve got results.

“And it’s breeding confidence, the players are loving it, the system suits the team, we’ve got players coming off the bench doing really well, we’ve got good competition throughout the squad, so that’s what you need if you want to be a top team or up there chasing championships.”

Phoenix coach Mark Rudan. (AAP Image/David Crosling) Source: AAP

While Ola Toivonen’s late goal was enough for the Victory to salvage a point — bringing Wellington’s three-game winning streak to an end — the Phoenix could return home content in their ability to take it up to yet another quality side.

The challenge now is to maintain the rage — and earn a finals berth.

Right now, the Phoenix should be well and truly in contention for the top four.

“Listen, it comes down to a lot. It comes down to injuries, it comes down to the draw,” Miller said.

“They’ve got a lot going against them but at this point in time - in the past we’ve seen Wellington make excuses for travel, fatigue, lack of players.

“They’ve got a good squad now and I think potentially if the momentum continues with the same mentality, bar injuries, bar other excuses, they could do so, they really could (make top four).”

Here’s how the game played out, via AAP

Ola Toivonen has salvaged a late equaliser for Melbourne Victory, preserving the A-League champions’ unbeaten streak after a 1-1 draw with Wellington Phoenix.

Victory, again without star Keisuke Honda, looked set for a first loss in eight matches when David Williams struck a second-half opener at AAMI Park.

Instead, Kevin Muscat’s side forced a way through Wellington’s impressive rearguard with Toivonen diverting Terry Antonis’ cross-cum-shot for a share of the spoils.

In addition to Honda’s absence, Nick Ansell was injured just 12 minutes into Friday night’s match, clutching at his hamstring after attempting to block Roy Krishna’s shot.

Ansell could join Honda, Raul Baena and Georg Niedermeier on a growing Victory injury list.

His injury sent Leigh Broxham to defence and allowed Josh Hope to see his longest spell of A-League football in his young career.

But it could also give Muscat headaches ahead of a busy January. At least Victory showed the resilience to defy the in-form Nix, who arrived in Melbourne on a three-match winning run of their own.

Victory bossed possession but Wellington had the best opportunities to break through; none better than Sarpreet Singh’s early one-on-one effort which was smothered by Lawrence Thomas.

Ola Toivonen goes for the ball. (AAP Image/David Crosling) Source: AAP

Victory captain Carl Valeri exerted just the right amount of pressure on the star teen as he bore down on goal.

Mandi struck a free kick just wide of the Victory goal frame, while at the other end James Troisi was just centimetres from tapping in Kosta Barbarouses’ sharp centre.

The longer the score stayed at 0-0, the more likely it seemed Wellington would spring a surprise.

Roy Krishna used his pace to get around Thomas Deng and strike wide on the hour mark.

Then up stepped Williams, who humiliated Storm Roux by selling him a dummy and curling home at the back post.

The stunning strike was Williams’ second goal in as many games, ending his 22-match A-League goalscoring drought in style.

Muscat threw on Kenny Athiu for Troisi, also struggling after a knee knock, to challenge Wellington in the air.

Instead, it was his other beanpole striker that earned Victory a point, the Swede scoring for the fourth consecutive match.

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