Cahill snapped City's two-game losing streak and produced something special on 36 minutes as the Reds conceded their first goal from a corner this season.

The Socceroo legend, facing away from goal, rose highest, arched his back and instinctively flicked the ball into the far corner.

Teammate Bruce Kamau was also having a blinder and mounted a number of dangerous attacks to put in one of his best shifts for City in a Man of the Match performance.

Gallery: City v Adelaide pic special

In a world first for top-flight domestic football, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system was used and Reds coach Guillermo Amor appeared to call for it after a throw-in just 30 seconds in, but to no avail.

The result sees City move equal on points with third-placed Brisbane Roar (who are still to play) while Adelaide United drop to 9th on goal difference and in the danger zone for the wooden spoon.

The home side welcomed back Michael Jakobsen as new City Football Group mentor Roy Hodgson watched his first game in the stands.

City nearly found themselves in front in the third minute when Kamau volleyed over the crossbar.

While United suffered an early blow when key man Tarek Elrich went down in the 22nd minute after contesting for a ball with Osama Malik.

Landing awkwardly on his left leg, the 30-year-old was stretchered from the field with a suspected ACL injury and was replaced by Nikola Mileusnic.

City continued to look threatening as Luke Brattan had a shot in anger on the half hour mark, but it was hit straight at goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic who pushed it away.

The VAR could have potentially come into play as Iacopo La Rocca had a tussle with Bruno Fornaroli in the first half, the first resulting in the Reds defender being booked after an off-the-ball knock.

A minute later a Nico Colazo corner landed to Cahill whose trademark header left Galekovic frozen in his box to put City up 1-0.

It could have been two minutes later as Kamau went around Dylan McGowan and his shot forced a diving save from Galekovic.

La Rocca and Fornaroli had another clash before half-time, which had the Uruguayan on the deck but Isaias was the only one booked by referee Kris Griffith-Jones for backchat.

In the second-half, City picked up where they left off as Kamau took on Ben Garuccio only for his shot to sail over Galekovic’s goal.

The second half continued to have spice with neither side holding back.

City goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis nearly gifted the Reds a goal in the 67th minute as his clearance landed in the path of Adelaide players but they failed to capitalise.

A final minute break looked as if City would ice the game, as Brattan’s break teed up a free Nick Fitzgerald whose shot was saved by Galekovic.

Adelaide in a desperate battle to avoid the wooden sppon face a resurgent Western Sydney Wanderers at home next week, while City travel west to meet Perth Glory who hope to hold their spot in the top six.

Melbourne City: 20. BOUZANIS Dean, 3. ROSE Josh, 5. FRANJIC Ivan, 6. MALIK Osama, 8. KILKENNY Neil, 9. COLAZO Nico (77’ 12. FITZGERALD Nick), 11. KAMAU Bruce, 17. CAHILL Tim (64’ 10. CACERES Anthony), 22. JAKOBSEN Michael, 23. FORNAROLI Bruno, 26. BRATTAN Luke

Adelaide United: 1. GALEKOVIC Eugene, 2. MARRONE Michael, 3. LA ROCCA Iacopo, 4. MCGOWAN Dylan, 8. ISAIAS, 9. DIAWARA Baba, 10. CARRUSCA Marcelo, 11. CIRIO Sergio (79’ 92. BABALJ Eli), 18. MCGREE Riley (71’ 7. KIM Jae-Sung), 19. GARUCCIO Ben, 21. ELRICH Tarek (25’ 17. MILEUSNIC Nikola)

Referee: Kris Griffith-Jones

Attendance: 9,438