A first-half brace by the returning marksman (26', 39') decided the contest which had uncanny similarities to last season.

It was in Round 9 at Coopers in 2015/16 that last-placed Reds kick-start their double title-winning campaign.

Coach Guillermo Amor, serving a touchline ban on his 49th birthday, watched from the stands as the defending champions took all three points.

The visitors had an ideal chance to go ahead on 20 minutes when Dylan McGowan tripped a surging Adam Parkhouse.

But Phoenix got a glimpse of what was to come when Reds skipper Eugene Galekovic parried away the resulting penalty to deny Roy Krishna.

From there it was the Henrique show as the former Brisbane Roar forward hit a pair of classy first-time efforts from outside the area in a dominant 15-minute period.

Ryan Kitto looked like he had bundled in Adelaide's third of the night on 78 minutes but the strike was chalked out off for handball.

The result sees Adelaide leapfrog Phoenix into ninth on goal difference while the Kiwi outfit slump to the bottom of the table.

GOALS 1-0 Adelaide: Henrique, 26’

After a goalmouth scramble inside the Wellington penalty area, Adelaide worked the ball to Henrique on the edge of the area and the Brazilian unleashed a left-footed bullet beyond the outstretched Glen Moss.

2-0 Adelaide: Henrique, 39’

More brilliance from the Brazilian as he again gave Moss no chance with another first-time blockbuster, curling a short free-kick into the corner from long range.

KEY MOMENT

For the second straight week, Phoenix forward Roy Krishna failed to convert his first attempt from the spot. This time he didn’t get a second bite and it cost his side the lead.

OPTA DATA

-Adelaide United have now won six of their last seven home games against Wellington Phoenix.