Goals from Sergio Van Dijk (2) and Mathew Leckie sent the Reds on their way to victory and their third consecutive three-point haul. Adelaide are now top of the A-League table.

"Today we played 90 minutes of good football and controlled the game," Coolen told Fox Sports.

"Technically in the last few games they did well for 50-60-70 minutes, today the next step was for 90 minutes, play in the system and don't lose your technical jobs you have to do as a team and individuals and they did it well today."

The Reds had started the season slowly after Coolen's late arrival at the club, but have made major improvements under his guidance in the past few weeks.

"The first game in the league was not a terrific game but we didn't lose it," he said. "You have to start somewhere, give them confidence.

"But to be honest in the start of the season if you have some draws or win some games the boys get a lot of confidence.

"We're getting better and better every week."

Coolen added: "If you win a game like this 3-1, you have to be happy as a coach, but you always look for things to show them to get better.

"Sometimes we gave free-kicks away or corners away which was not necessary. Sometimes we take the wrong decisions when we have the ball. All small things. You don't have to be happy.

Coolen also revealed he was delighted to see striker Sergio van Dijk break his A-League duck with the Reds.

"We're happy for him," he said. "As a striker you need to score goals. We need him as a strong man, as a striker, as a holding man and that's what he did today. That was his best game until now."

Adelaide's next match is on Saturday against Newcastle Jets at Hindmarsh Stadium.