Pace-setter Adelaide United put further daylight on the A League field after defeating second placed Sydney FC 3-2 in a tense battle at Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Two goals from Brazilian striker Fernando Rech set up United's fifth win in its past six matches to give it a five point buffer at the top over Sydney and the Newcastle Jets.

Sydney fought back to level at 2-all late in the second half, driven by former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke who started in midfield.

Two brilliant goals from Japanese guest striker Kazuyoshi Miura almost pegged Adelaide back but Rech's 84th minute strike from 20 metres out was enough to avenge United's defeat in Sydney in round seven.

Rech fired United ahead inside four minutes with a spectacular solo effort, heading home a rebound from his own shot which bounced back off the crossbar.

Then veteran midfielder Carl Veart tapped home the second in the 14th minute after a corner eluded defenders at the near post.

Yorke held Sydney together under United's intense pressure early and he combined with Miura to get Sydney back in the hunt in the 33rd minute.

The World Cup-bound Trinidad and Tobago star broke through the middle to produce a perfect pass for Miura to net his first A League goal with a cool finish across the advancing goalkeeper for 2-1.

Sydney went close to an equaliser just after halftime with headed shots from defender Jacob Timtano and Yorke in the 52nd minute but United kept Sydney on the ropes with long range shots from Ross Aloisi and Rech.

Sydney looked to have grabbed a draw when Miura netted in the 76th minute with a clinical left foot shot after a lay off from Sasho Pertrovski.

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