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Live sport on SN this weekendPriestman's Phoenix soar to top of A-League Women
Anna Harrington, AAP • February 6th, 2026 6:45 pm
Makala Woods scored the decisive goal in Wellington Phoenix's win over Perth Glory | Photo: Elias Rodriguez/AAP
Bev Priestman's Wellington revolution has kicked into overdrive, with a 1-0 win over Perth Glory sending the high-flying Phoenix to the top of the A-League Women table for the first time.
In the dying seconds of the first half at Sky Stadium on Friday, Makala Woods scored her third goal of the season to put the Phoenix in front - and send Wellington past Melbourne City into top spot.
Phoenix fans have dubbed their resurgence under Bev Priestman the "Bevolution'' - and it's hard to argue.
Former Canada coach Bev Priestman has taken Wellington Phoenix to the top of the standings | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
Priestman, who coached Canada to gold at the Tokyo Olympics, was sacked by Canada Soccer in July 2024 and handed a one-year ban by FIFA after drone surveillance tactics were uncovered by Olympic opponents New Zealand.
The experienced English mentor joined the Phoenix in July, following the conclusion of her ban, and after a slow start has the club flying with a remarkable plus-17 goal difference.
With their fourth straight victory, Wellington (24 points) lead the premiership plate race ahead of second-placed City (23) and third-placed Brisbane (22), who face off this weekend.
No Wellington team has won silverware in the A-Leagues.
"It's amazing, it's surreal at the moment," captain Mackenzie Barry told Sky Sport.
"We deserve that win and it's a huge achievement for us, so I'm stoked.
"We believe in each other and we're just gonna keep pushing and do what's never been done before."
The Phoenix were the livelier of the two teams without reward until late in the first half.
Wellington took the lead when Onyinyechi Zogg sold Tijan McKenna into trouble and Lucia Leon nipped in.
Woods beat Zogg to the spilled ball and had the composure to finish.
Wellington striker Grace Jale required treatment for nasty swelling on her forehand after a high boot from Rola Badawiya, but was able to play on.
Perth goalkeeper Teresa Morrissey shut down Brooke Nunn one-on-one in the 51st minute.
The Glory thought they had equalised in the 56th minute, but their attempt was chalked off for a foul on Phoenix goalkeeper Victoria Esson.
Woods flashed a shot wide in the 69th minute, then Jale smacked a shot into the bar four minutes later.
Perth tried in vain to manufacture an equaliser.
"It's a shame. Obviously they were up for the battle as much as we were and our own mistake cost us the loss today, which is annoying," Perth skipper Isobel Dalton told Sky Sports.
"It's hard when you come all this way and come away with no points."
The Glory have the bye and must wait until February 14 to make amends.
Wellington host reigning champions Central Coast next Sunday.
Elsewhere, Western Sydney confirmed young gun Holly Caspers suffered a season-ending ACL tear in last weekend's derby.
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