Goalkeeper Paul Izzo a hero as Melbourne Victory fight back to beat Wellington Phoenix

Inspired by a memorable performance from goalkeeper Paul Izzo, Melbourne Victory remain in the race for an A-League finals berth.

Victory goalkeeper Paul Izzo starred in his side’s win over Wellington. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Melbourne Victory’s slim hopes of playing finals football remain alive after a fighting display in Wellington secured them back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Down 1-0 with a little more than half an hour remaining at Sky Stadium on Saturday, the Victory hit back with goals from striker Bruno Fornaroli and defender Damien Da Silva to secure a 2-1 win.

Da Silva’s winner made amends for his first-half error that allowed the Phoenix’s returning Polish striker Oskar Zawada to give the hosts the lead.

The Phoenix had chances to increase their lead, but midfield pair Jan Sasse and Steven Ugarkovic were both denied by brilliant saves from Victory goalkeeper Paul Izzo.

Izzo’s superb form seemed to inspire the visitors, who then scored the two goals needed to upset a Phoenix side whose coach Ufuk Talay has been linked with a move to the Victory next season.

Victory captain Josh Brillante hailed the performance of Izzo.

“Paulie’s a top-class goalkeeper, and sometimes that’s what you need in games, someone like him,” Brillante told Sky Sports New Zealand.

“He keeps you in the game, and like today, he was able to keep the ball out (of the net) in the second half, and we were able to put two away, which gave us the win.”

Victory keeper Paul Izzo makes a great save to deny Wellington’s Steven Ugarkovic, Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

It’s a win that has moved the battling Victory to 24 points ahead of Wednesday night’s completion of their derby match against Melbourne City, which will recommence in the 21st minute with City leading 1-0.

While the Victory’s hopes of finishing in the top six aren’t entirely in their own hands such has been their largely disappointing season, Brillante said his side had not given up hope of featuring in the finals series.

“I don’t think you’d see us playing like this if we didn’t believe in ourselves, and we’ve shown in the past few games the quality we have, so we’re storming home now,” Brillante said.

Izzo echoed the sentiments of his skipper.

“We got written off a couple of weeks ago but we keep on grabbing points, so if we keep this momentum going, the belief is only going to grow more and more,” the gloveman said.

“We’ve got a game against City midweek now, and what a way to make another statement.”

As for his own performance, Izzo said he had a “big role to play” after the Victory went into half-time trailing 1-0.

“I said in my head there was going to be maybe one, two or three moments where I had to stand up, so I just kept that focus and fortunately I was switched on enough to make those saves.”

Originally published as Goalkeeper Paul Izzo a hero as Melbourne Victory fight back to beat Wellington Phoenix