Adelaide smash Newcastle to end barren run

Adelaide United ended their four-game winless streak in emphatic fashion with a comprehensive 5-2 thrashing of Newcastle Jets in the A-League.

The Reds had only taken two points from a possible 12 in recent weeks but they turned on the style to deliver a hammer blow to Newcastle's hopes of catching leaders Sydney FC.

Daniel Adlung got Adelaide off to a solid start with a 15th-minute opener from Johan Absalonsen's pinpoint cut-back, and the midfielder doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time.

Adlung delivered a dangerous free-kick into the Newcastle penalty area that evaded all his team-mates, but also sailed beyond the reach of Newcastle goalkeeper Jack Duncan.

The Jets – unbeaten in six prior to their trip to Coopers Stadium – halved the deficit just after the hour through Ben Kantarovski, the 25-year-old netting his fourth of the season.

23 March 2018

It was not enough to spark a comeback, though, as Adelaide turned on the style with three goals in 11 minutes.

Ryan Kitto's composed finish restored their two-goal advantage, before Absalonsen fired a stunning left-foot volley beyond Duncan from Michael Marrone's deep delivery.

Dzengis Cavusevic added a fifth in the 79th minute before Kantarovski grabbed his second in the closing stages – although that was a mere consolation.

Victory lifts Adelaide to within a point of Melbourne City in fourth, but the real winners could be Sydney, who can move eight clear at the summit with victory over Central Coast Mariners on Saturday.