The Dutchman made four changes to the line-up that beat Victory, with marquee man Tim Cahill left out completely after picking up a knock in that game.

But two goals from Bruno Fornaroli and an excellent performance by Luke Brattan laid the groundwork for a win that puts City level on points at the top of the table with Sydney, who lead on goal difference with a game in hand.

Brattan hasn't played a lot of football in the past 12 months but anyone watching his performances in the first few games this season would never have known. The shaggy-haired midfielder has done enough to convince Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou to recall him for the national team squad, and on the evidence of his efforts in this game alone he is worth another look.

In a busy first 45 minutes Brattan was at the heart of everything positive City produced.

He has been given an opportunity to play in a more advanced role this season, and in this game, with Neil Kilkenny and Paulo Retre able to tuck in front of the defence, he had a licence to roam and he took it.

He ran, chased, harassed and tackled, but his game has developed from his days in Brisbane when he operated almost exclusively as a holding midfielder. Now he is confident enough to go forward from a central role, take on players, try to play quick one-twos with the likes of Fornaroli and of course shoot from distance, which has always been one of the hallmarks of his game.

Brattan helped create the opening goal by closing down Tarek Elrich and forcing a turnover. Fernando Brandan picked up the ball and fed Fornaroli, whose looped drive curved over Eugene Galekovic.

That was in the 11th minute, and City could already have been a goal to the good a minute earlier when former Adelaide old boy Bruce Kamau fired in from long range and hit the bar with Galekovic beaten.

City looked in control but Adelaide began to get back into the game and Ryan Kitto almost got them back on terms in the 22nd minute when his shot struck the post. Fornaroli had an opportunity to double his side's lead in the dying moments of the opening period but scooped his effort over. It almost cost City dearly as Kitto again struck the woodwork seconds before the interval.

Brattan turned provider once again shortly after the break, his cross from a short corner finding Fornaroli for a close range header which the Uruguayan directed over.

But the City captain made no mistake shortly after from the penalty spot, snaring his second goal.

Brandan – one of the smallest men on the pitch – was unmarked at a corner and his header was handled by Reds striker Sergio Guardiola. Chris Beath pointed to the spot and Fornaroli did the rest. Adelaide got a foothold back into the game in the 64th minute when Guardiola stole in between Osama Malik and Josh Rose to head home. But this was a night City showed their depth after the sort of week many teams might have struggled in.