Chaotic football match sees THREE players sent off

Three players have been sent off as Central Coast claimed a controversial and dramatic 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory to go outright second on the A-League Men table.

The Mariners took the lead through Ryan Teague’s own goal in the 48th minute and it proved the difference in a fiery contest.

Victory believed Mariners star Angel Torres should have been sent off for a headbutt on Connor Chapman in the 65th minute.

The action drew a dramatic, delayed reaction from the defender – but referee Tim Danaskos only booked Torres.

Things went from bad to worse for the Victory when skipper Roderick Miranda correctly received a second yellow card for dragging down Alou Kuol off the ball in the 81st minute.

Former Wolves defender Roderick Miranda was dismissed after picking up two yellows

Then, after a VAR review, youngster Jordi Valadon received a straight red in the 90th minute for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity for fouling Kuol – though Jason Geria appeared to be covering for his teammate.

Two minutes after coming on, Central Coast’s Ronald Barcellos was sent off in the 97th minute, following a VAR review, for a studs-up tackle on Chapman.

Coming into Sunday’s match, Central Coast had never beaten the Victory in 14 attempts at AAMI Park and had just four wins from their 34 matches at the venue.

Mark Jackson’s charges (34 points) now sit three points behind leaders Wellington and three ahead of Tony Popovic’s side.

The Victory should have taken the lead in the 20th minute.

Arzani forced a turnover from Nathan Paull and should have either scored or laid the ball off to Bruno Fornaroli – but instead dragged his shot wide

Paul Izzo batted away a brilliant free kick from Mikael Doka in the 29th minute, making a leaping fingertip save.

Victory felt Angel Torres should have been sent off for a headbutt

Mariners star Ronald Barcellos was sent off just two minutes after coming on 

Shortly after, Danny Vukovic had to deny a curling free kick from Arzani before Victory winger Salim Khelifi fizzed another shot over the bar.

The Mariners took the lead just after the restart when Arzani gave away an arguably soft free kick and Torres launched a tantalising ball into the area, forcing Teague to chest it into his own net.

Mere minutes later, Kuol appeared certain to double Central Coast’s lead when Doka teed him up, but the striker turned the ball onto the post and it somehow rolled to safety.

From there, the visitors held on as the game descended into chaos.