A rampant first-half has secured a resounding 4-1 win over Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday night.
Kusini Yengi, Stefan Mauk, Ben Halloran and Craig Goodwin all got on the scoresheet to seal a fifth straight league triumph for the first time since 2016.
It was easily the Reds’ most fluid attacking performance of the season.
Adelaide were slick in the wet conditions, playing with real intensity in the opening 45.
The second stanza was an end-to-end affair with both teams creating chances, but the only goal was a consolation scored by Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.
United were ruthless from the start and Yengi made it two goals in as many games when he tackled Nigel Boogaard after a heavy touch and slotted his finish past Lewis Italiano.
Six minutes later, Mauk scored his fourth goal in four matches and sixth for the campaign when he met Goodwin’s low cross.
Adelaide’s pressure was relentless and they scored two more goals before the break.
Goodwin’s nutmegged pass released Javi López and his left-footed cross was volleyed in at the back post by Ben Halloran.
Goodwin then bagged his third goal upon his return to the Club, nonchalantly converting a penalty following a foul on Yengi.
Adelaide could have added to its lead in the second-half as they mustered chances on the counter-attack.
Yengi almost squeezed a shot in at the near post but Italiano pulled of a decent low save, before the 22-year-old minutes later struck the side netting.
Matthew Millar struck the underside of the crossbar on the hour mark and then at the other end Ryan Strain still had to wait for his maiden A-League goal following his effort being saved.
Stamatelopoulos was on target for the Jets against his former team on 69 minutes after his diving header off Ramy Najjarines’s cross went through Joe Gauci’s legs.
Adelaide had a couple more opportunities to add to its advantage, however could not find a fifth goal.
Nevertheless, it was the biggest away victory against Newcastle in the Club’s history.
Team news
Carl Veart made one change to his starting line-up that beat Melbourne Victory 3-1. After his impressive cameo last weekend Kusini Yengi was entrusted to the lead the line for his third start of the season.
Key moments
5’ | GOAL! Yengi pounces on Boogaard’s heavy touch and runs forward and buries his finish beyond Italiano.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6242358950001
11’ | GOAL! Mauk doubles the advantage after turning in Goodwin’s low cross.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6242360079001
40’ | GOAL! Halloran makes it 3-0 finishing off an incisive attacking move.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6242360972001
43’ | GOAL! Yengi is fouled in the box and Goodwin steps up and confidently dispatches the penalty.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6242361413001
69’ | GOAL: Stamatelopoulos scores a diving header off Najjarine’s cross.
Match details:
Sunday, 21 March
A-League 2020/21 – Matchweek 13
Newcastle Jets 1 (Stamatelopoulos 69’)
Adelaide United 4 (Yengi 5’, Mauk 11’, Halloran 40’, Goodwin (p) 43’)
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
