Wanderers overcome injury to take points

WESTERN Sydney Wanderers overcame the sickening loss of German import Nicolai Muller to remain alive in the race for an A-League finals berth with a 1-0 win over a 10man Wellington Phoenix at Bankwest Stadium on Friday night.

A 73rd-minute header from substitute Kwame Yeboah proved the difference as the Wanderers moved to within four points of the top six.

The goal came eight minutes after Phoenix defender Luke DeVere was sent off for a second bookable defence when he knocked over Yeboah just outside Wellington’s penalty area.

Yeboah had entered the contest in the first half as a replacement for Muller, who was floored and seemingly knocked out cold by the stray head of Wellington defender Louis Fenton.

Fearing Muller had suffered a serious injury, players from both sides immediately signalled for help from the sideline.

Muller was eventually stretchered off, with play delayed for six minutes, a period that also included the booking of Fenton for the recklessness of his actions.

Muller’s condition seemingly improved in the dressingroom, with the Wanderers tweeting: “Conscious but ok. Muller has a badly cut lip and a swollen jaw/cheek.”

However, the incident angered Wanderers coach JeanPaul de Marigny, who told Fox Sports at halftime that players needed “protection”.

Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay was also in an angry mood during the match and was shown a yellow card for dissent in the 63rd minute.