The home side started with an unchanged line-up, despite needing to arrest a slide which had seen the champions sitting bottom of the ladder without a victory after four matches, with two draws from their home matches.

The Reds conversely went into the match undefeated and sitting joint top behind Perth Glory only on goal difference.

Unlike last week's slow-burning derby against Central Coast Mariners, this was an open affair throughout despite a greasy playing surface on a damp Sydney evening.

The Reds were dynamic going forward in the opening half and held their deserved two-goal margin at the interval thanks to goals from Sergio Van Dijk and Matthew Leckie.

Sydney, for their part, were rarely able to find penetration in the attacking third during the first 45 minutes, while the visitors managed to breach the home side's defence on numerous occasions and were somewhat unlucky to only be two goals to the good.

Sky Blues' goalkeeper Liam Reddy made two important interceptions in the opening half, while Adelaide missed a number of opportunities in the air as the home side battled to contain the aerial threat.

Sydney lost Stuart Musialik at half-time to a hip injury and was replaced by Japanese midfielder Hirofumi Moriyasu, with former Young Socceroo skipper Sebastian Ryall taking the captain's armband.

Sydney's hopes appeared completely dashed within eight minutes of the re-start when Van Dijk grabbed his second of the night with a smart finish from close-range after Reddy could only parry Leckie's low angled drive.

However the home side pulled a goal back within minutes via defender Stephan Keller's first Hyundai A-League goal, which managed to somewhat halt the momentum of the visitors.

The tall Swiss making good contact on a header from Sung-Hwan Byun's perfectly flighted free-kick.

The home side continued to have more possession in the latter stages but despite openings at either end the score remain unchanged.

The result sends Adelaide back into top spot, with 11 points from five matches, while the Sky Blues have just two points from their opening five games.

Adelaide's next opponent is Newcastle at Hindmarsh, while there's no relief for Sydney who travel to Wellington.

Sydney FC 1 (Stephan Keller 58')
Adelaide United 3 (Sergio van Dijk 9', 53', Matthew Leckie 37')