A Kosta Barbarouses double has powered Wellington to a 2-1 defeat of fellow heavyweights Macarthur FC that consolidates the Phoenix's place atop the A-League Men ladder.
But an injury to captain Alex Rufer in the warm-up soured Sunday's win for the already depleted Phoenix, who went into Sunday's Campbelltown Stadium match without five regulars.
Rufer, sore from bruising suffered earlier in the week, is set for assessment by club medical staff on Monday.
Wellington coach Giancarlo Italiano lauded his side for powering on amid the adversity.
"The team ethos is that we're a team first. We're bigger than all the individuals," he said.
After kick-off began an hour late due to nearby lightning, the Bulls struggled to convert ample opportunities.
They had 13 shots to the Phoenix's two in the first half, but found themselves down 1-0 at the break.
"I thought there was only one team really trying to play," said Bulls coach Mile Sterjovski.
"Super proud of the effort and disappointed with the loss."
Barbarouses had no such execution issues, first nailing a controversial spot-kick half an hour into the game, then pushing the Phoenix closer to victory with his 10th goal of the season.
"He was great," said Italiano.
"I thought it was the perfect conditions for him to play tonight."
It was the striker's second brace from as many outings against the Bulls this campaign.
Macarthur's Tomislav Uskok was penalised for fouling fellow defender Lukas Kelly-Heald in the box as the Phoenix were on the attack in the first half.
Referee Shaun Evans opted not to instigate a VAR check, despite pleas from Bulls players and the chanting home crowd.
Replays appeared to show Uskok's foot trailing and contacting Kelly-Heald, who fell to the turf, and Barbarouses made no mistake with the ensuing penalty.
Sterjovski would not comment on the penalty but indicated the club could seek clarification from the A-Leagues.
"I've been advised by my club not to comment and we'll go through other channels," he said.
The incident came after VAR denied the Bulls a penalty of their own in the opening minutes when forward Valere Germain claimed to have been struck by Wellington's Finn Surman at the other end.
Macarthur looked more threatening after the break, but Barbarouses stymied their momentum when he tapped Ben Old's cross past Filip Kurto.
Only five minutes later, mid-season Bulls recruit Bernardo Oliveira threatened to ignite a comeback with a crafty left-foot shot through traffic as the final 10 minutes approached.
In the final minute a Ulises Davila header bounced to the right of the goal and the Phoenix held on.
The result snaps Macarthur's seven-game unbeaten run, the equal longest in the club's short history, and extends the Phoenix's own streak to eight matches without a loss.
