Wellington Phoenix impress former coach Ernie Merrick in loss to Newcastle Jets ANDREW VOERMANSTUFFThe Phoenix are denied an injury time equaliser in a penalty area scramble against the Jets. It was former Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick who summed it up the best on Saturday night. They were the better team, no doubt about it," were his words, after his Newcastle Jets beat the Phoenix, who he left late in 2016, 1-0 at QBE Stadium in Auckland. "I've taken the three points so it's easy to praise, but I thought [interim Phoenix coach] Chris Greenacre's done a really good job with that team, and now unfortunately he's got to go without [four] starting players for next week. "They're up the top of the table for a reason," said Greenacre of Newcastle, who sit second, five points behind Sydney FC.

Source: Stuff March 17, 2018 09:45 UTC