Adelaide United have climbed up to second place in the A-League after they secured a 3-0 away win at Sydney FC on Boxing Day.

After a fairly even first half, Bruce Djite opened the scoring as Marcelo Carrusca found space down the left and rounded Sydney goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic to square the ball, only for Sebastian Ryall's failed clearance to fall to Djite who finished easily.

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The visitors' lead doubled 15 minutes later as Pablo Sanchez's diving header was too much for Janjetovic and killed off any hopes of a comeback.

The victory was sealed in added time after a neat passing move was finished off by substitute Awer Mabil to give Adelaide all three points.

The loss is Sydney's third home defeat on the trot and sees them stay in fifth.

Adelaide climb above Melbourne Victory into second, six points behind league leaders Perth Glory.