In front of 12,581, the biggest crowd at Members Equity Stadium since the first season of the A-League, Glory had the better chances of a game crucial to their slim finals hopes, but Sarkies' goal in the 40th minute was enough to see Adelaide home.

The win takes Adelaide two points clear atop of the ladder and on track to finish there with a game in hand due to their rescheduled match for participating in the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Reds lost their spot for two hours with the Central Coast Mariners replacing them after beating the Newcastle Jets, but they are once again sitting pretty on top.

The loss will make Glory's job of staying in touch for the finals tough, as they are four points behind third and fourth-placed Queensland and Melbourne who are yet to play this round.

Both sides came out ready to fire with Adelaide creating a good chance in the opening minute but Fabian Barbiero's shot went just wide.

Perth's Eugene Dadi had an even better chance in the fifth minute. After passing out wide to Adriano Pellegrino, who sent in a good cross, Dadi had a free header but couldn't get it on target.

While the next half hour didn't see a goal scored, Perth did have the best of the chances but failed to take one and the Reds took full advantage in the 40th minute.

Cristiano fired a cross-cum-shot at goal that Jamie Harnwell could only clear into the path of Sarkies, who had no trouble at all slotting it past Glory 'keeper Tando Velaphi to put Adelaide 1-0 up.

Perth again had the better chances early in the second half, the best falling to Dadi who had a clear shot on goal inside the box with only Eugene Galekovic to beat, but he couldn't get it on target.

Former Dutch international Victor Sikora came on with 30 minutes to go to make his A-League debut and received a strong ovation from the big Boxing Day crowd. He showed plenty of spark, but couldn't help the Glory score a crucial goal.

Despite Perth still dominating possession and creating the most chances, it was Adelaide that blew a terrific chance to double their lead.

Paul Reid, who originally agreed to play with Perth before joining Adelaide, took a free kick 15-metres outside the box and found Travis Dodd and Robert Younis in perfect position, but both got in each other's way and couldn't threaten the goal.

Just before injury time, Harnwell had a great chance to equalise as well but was stopped by a brilliant save from Galekovic. Harnwell got on the end of a good cross and had his header on target, but somehow the Reds 'keeper stretched his arm behind him to parry the ball wide of the goal.

Glory now look forward to a New Year's Eve clash at Bluetongue Stadium against the Central Coast Mariners, before a home match against Melbourne Victory on January 11.

After not playing since December 5, Adelaide now play Sydney FC on January 3 at Adelaide Oval, Melbourne at Telstra Dome on January 6 and Newcastle at Hindmarsh Stadium three days later.