Adelaide took the lead, and to tell the truth the first half was fairly even, with both sides contributing to a thoroughly entertaining contest.
But something happened at half time, because Adelaide returned for the second period and threw the game away.
Wellington ran them ragged and they could have scored a couple more, but the scoreline was healthy enough anyway.
Their keeper Glen Moss did make a handful of good saves, but the 13,654 people in the Cake Tin will feel their win was well deserved.
When Adelaide scored in only the third minute through Craig Goodwin, it looked like they might kick start their season. But Roy Krishna, Roly Bonevacia twice, and Matthew Ridenton all scored to give the scoreline some serious sheen. Pablo Sanchez did scramble a late consolation goal for the Reds but it was all over by then.
Bonevacia's second, in particular, was a sight to behold.
Wellington right back Justin Gulley struggled with Cirio and when the ball popped out to the back post, Goodwin made no mistake to put the Reds ahead.
A terrible mix-up between the nervous goalkeeper John Hall and Osama Malik gifted an equaliser to Krishna however.
Hall and Mailk left the ball for each other and by the time they made up their minds, Krishna had nipped in. Adelaide's lead had lasted barely a minute.
The pace of Jeffrey Sarpong, Blake Powell and Krishna was causing Adelaide all sorts of problem, with Michael Marrone in particular struggling to deal with the the threat.
But another mix up between Hall and Malik cost Adelaide dearly on 22 minutes.
Hall's poor pass put Malik under pressure. Krishna showed great strength to win the ball, race clear and then square up to Bonevacia. Again, Adelaide had shot themselves in the foot.
Bonevacia's second was a ripping contender for goal of the season.
He sized up Hall's goal from 25 metres, and his lashed right footer flew past the Adelaide 'keeper, who was left standing still. It was a sensational strike.
Substitute Ridenton, on for Powell, tapped in at the back post after more good work by Bonevacia and Krishna, before Sanchez bundled one in after Goodwin's cross was deflected to the back post.
Wellington Phoenix 4 (Krishna 4', Bonevacia 22', 51', Ridenton 69')
Adelaide United 2 (Goodwin 3', Sanchez 89')
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Ben Williams
Crowd: 13,654
