10- Man Adelaide Thrash Ladder Leaders

Fabian Barbiero was sent off in just the 8th minutes as a ten-man Adelaide United defeated a strong Sydney F.C. at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday Night.

Cristiano made a healthy return to the A-League as he slotted the two goals to win the game for United and kept them in touch with the top 5.

Barbiero was sent off for pulling the shirt and tripping Mark Bridge who was almost a certainty to score.

Barbiero, the replacement for injured captain Travis Dodd, was in everything, winning the ball everywhere, until his brain snap.

On the up side, youngster Matthew Leckie was also brought into the side for his first start, replacing Cassio and playing as a striker.

Leckie had many opportunities to score and set up many near-misses.

The first goal came in the 28th minute by Cristiano, who's head was on the end of a lovely Scott Jamieson ball.

It was Cristiano's first goal since scoring last year.

Sydney F.C. also had many opportunities to score - most notably Karol Kisel, who's punishing ball hit the upright.

Adelaide's second goal came in the 54th minute, from Cristiano again, who headed it from a Scott Jamieson free kick.

The United fans were going off, until Sydney substitute and former International John Aloisi scored in the 78th minute to give Sydney a sniff.

But, in the end, Adelaide were brave enough to hold on and recorded their best-ever A-League win.

This week Adelaide United travel to Melbourne, to play the Victory at Etihad Stadium on Saturday Night.

Crowd: 10,291
Goals: Cristiano 28', 54'. John Aloisi 78'
Bookings: Galekovic 74', Brosque 86', Hughes 87', Jamieson 90'.
Red Card: Barbiero 8'

Tando Velaphi keeps Perth in touch with the top

Goal-Keeper Tando Velaphi has single handedly kept Perth Glory in touch with the top 3 as they defeated Adelaide United 1-0 at Members Equity Stadium on Friday night in front of a reasonable 9,482 people.

The game was fiery with both teams going at each other throughout the match - especially Mile Sterjovski and Scott Jamieson.

Sterjovski received an early yellow card for a slide tackle on Jamieson and could have easily received another one as he grabbed Jamieson by the throat. But it was not to be.

Both teams had their chances throughout the whole match with Adelaide looking the more dangerous, but Velaphi provided many stunning saves to keep Perth in the match.

At half time as the teams were walking in, there was a bit of biff as all the players and substitutes were involved in a melee - particularly Adelaide's Robert Cornthwaite.

But nothing came out of it, and Perth came out firing in the second half, finally converting in the 80th minute through Victor Sikora.

Adelaide looked to score in the last ten minutes, but yet again, Velaphi was there.

This week Adelaide face table-toppers Sydney F.C. at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday Night.

Crowd: 9482

Goal: Victor Sikora 80'

Bookings: Sterjovski 13', Cornthwaite 22', Rudan 33', Todd 43', Shroj 55', Todd (RED) 89'

Perth Glory vs Adelaide United Preview

When: Friday, 9th October, 7.00pm (AWDT)

Where: Members Equity Stadium, Perth

TV: Fox Sports 1, 10.00pm LIVE (AEDT)

Last time they met: Adelaide 1-0 Perth, Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, Round 1 2009

Cassio saves Adelaide from embarassment against Jets

Midfielder Cassio scored one of the goals of the season as Adelaide United drew with Newcastle Jets, 1-1, at Hindmarsh Stadium on Monday afternoon.

The Jets looked home after a Jin-Hyung Song goal in the 6th minute and goal-keeper Ben Kennedy saved a penalty in the second half.

Adelaide were looking to equalise after Lucas Pantelis was brought down with referee, Chris Beath, pointing to the spot.

But Ben Kennedy was the difference between the two sides as he saved a powerful shot from Travis Dodd.

Song's goal in the sixth minute stunned the home crowd of 12090 fans on Labour Day but United were expected to bounce back hard.

This was not the case as the Jets dominated the Reds until early in the second half.

Adelaide turned their game around and had many shots, before Brazilian Cassio scored an amazing goal from outside the box.

United didn't stop their assault as they had many more shots in the second half, before the game settled down in injury time.

This week Adelaide front Perth Glory at Members Equity Stadium on Friday Night.

Crowd: 12090

Goals: Song 6', Cassio 76'

Bookings: Cassio 25', D'Apuzzo 35', Vignaroli 75'