By Steve Larkin
Adelaide United folk hero Cassio celebrated his 100th A-League game with a goal as the Reds downed Wellington Phoenix 3-1.
Argentine attacker Jeronimo Neumann scored twice as Adelaide netted three goals in the final 40 minutes to deliver the Phoenix their first loss of the season.
The Phoenix finished with 10 men after Ben Sigmund was controversially sent off in the 77th minute.
Wellington's Stein Huysegems scored the opening goal in the Hindmarsh Stadium fixture before the visitors were overwhelmed by Adelaide, who return to the top of the ladder with the win.
Jeronimo's brace was punctuated by fan favourite Cassio's 68th minute goal which gave Adelaide a 2-1 lead.
Cassio, after a 20 metre run which sliced open Wellington's midfield then defence, flicked to Jeronimo, who fed the ball back to his teammate and the Brazilian promptly scored with a slick left-footer.
Adelaide's comeback triumph came after Phoenix talisman Paul Ifill created Huysegems' strike with a crafty through ball in the 42nd minute.
As a flat-footed Adelaide defence stood hoping for an offside call, Ifill's insightful pass played the Belgian international into ample space.
Huysegems closed within 10 metres and powered a left-footer with such force it gave Reds goalkeeper Eugene Galevokic no chance.
Adelaide hit back just 10 minutes after halftime when Jeronimo scored.
After a scramble, Wellington's attempt to clear their defensive area rebounded into the path of the Argentine just 10m from goal.
While fortunate to find the ball at his feet, Jeronimo's finish was clinical - a left-footer which equalised against the flow of play.
Jeronimo repeated the dose in the 85th minute after being played into space by Adelaide's creative Dario Vidosic, his left-foot finish sealing the victory for the Reds.
NZN