Andrew Redmayne has been sent off for the first time in his A-League Men career as Sydney FC fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Macarthur FC.
The Bulls remain undefeated through their opening seven games and moved to the top of the ladder with victory at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
Rising midfield talent Jake Hollman scored inside the opening half an hour before Frenchman Valere Germain put the result beyond doubt with five minutes left.
But the biggest talking point will centre around Sydney goalkeeper Redmayne who handled the ball outside of his box in the 16th minute.
Closing down a Macarthur attack, Redmayne was 30 yards off his line when a goal-bound shot from Matthew Millar hit the upper part of his right arm.
Macarthur players appealed for a handball and after reviewing the incident, referee Daniel Elder showed the Sydney No.1 a straight red.
While there was clearly no deliberate attempt to play at the ball, Redmayne gave himself up with his arm hanging so wide and Elder deemed he had denied Millar a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Reserve ‘keeper Adam Pavlesic was substituted on for just his second appearance at the expense of striker Patrick Wood.
Pavlesic was immediately called into action from the ensuing free kick and did well to tip a Clayton Lewis shot wide of his posts.
Down a man, Sydney continued to fight and Bulls goalkeeper Filip Kurto did well to prevent the Sky Blues from going ahead through Fabio Gomes.
But Macarthur’s advantage was evident whenever they countered and it was through a turnover and rapid transition that led to Hollman giving the Bulls the lead.
Germain raced up field after a long ball and waited for support, with Hollman surging up behind him to provide back-up.
The young midfielder chested German’s pass down before guiding it past Pavlesic to register his fourth goal in five games.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Sydney refused to take their foot off the gas after halftime.
Ufuk Talay’s men had 67 per cent possession in the second half but when Gabriel Lacerda dragged a shot wide and Robert Mak had a goal chalked off for offside it began to feel like it wasn’t going to be their night.
Germain made sure of that with five minutes left to play as he flicked a Jed Drew cross into the back of the net to give the Bulls victory.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Yet they are usually empty. Cove Heights 222 would definitely have public seats available and not be in the sun.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
i think they were 25 to 1 at one stage, even after a few matches.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
If they are going to let anyone go, I would not want to be Joe Lolley at the moment. He has lost a considerable degree of speed, and yes, he shows glimpses of what he used to be able to do, but those glimpses are becoming fewer and further between. It's a sad indictment of age
Brendan
Roar Pro
Too true, FIL. The Bulls have done a complete 180, & turned it around, which I commend them for. Winners & grinners, & although Macarthur don’t sparkle, a diamond is a diamond, no matter how it looks.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Do you think they’ll try and let anyone go to make space?
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
There is it is again, that media/backyard sport collaboration to try to lock out the biggest threat to their prosperity
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Talay is a class act. Give him time and they will be firing, but I would hazard a guess in saying that the January transfer window will be very interesting for Sydney
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Brendan, it's nice to see someone who observes football on multiple levels. You've got to admit, everyone loves a winner, and Bulls are top of the table. Ugly or not, the Smurfs are about 3 from the bottom.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Strike me, what is it with the Smurfs and their talented youth. You know, it makes me wonder, despite how much Talay might see the talent and want to keep it, is it upper management/owners selling of the young talent for additional incoming cash?
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Grem you're right about Pavlesic, the kids looks to be high quality. Guess it runs in the family, his brother is at Bayern as a young keeper
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I dont bet myself, but I did advise two people to bet for Greece Euro 2004, both won thousands, the bloke who bet 50 only on them complained I should have told him to put a lot more money on it.
chris1
Roar Rookie
The ball hits the ball of his shoulder. That is not handball. How they can send a man off, in the 15th minute and change the whole game on a decision that is not 100% clear cut, makes a mockery of the rules. East coast bias against an east coast team no doubt.
chris1
Roar Rookie
Agree Garry. Not a red card and what we have these days is VAR having the final say by default. No ref would dare challenge a bank of "experts" all viewing footage over and over and over and over again. And still getting it wrong.
chris1
Roar Rookie
And the bog*n other footy supporter looking to be aggressive when someone suggested soccer was football. The bog*n gamblers love that ad I’m sure.
Garry
Roar Rookie
209-221 arent generally available..ps the Clubhouse is members only BUT the stadium has a similar section called The Garden
Grem
Roar Rookie
Bays 209 - 222 probably to 225 (second level) will be out of the rain and sun. And what Gary said is what I would have said.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Macarthur were far too cautious, whereas Sydney played with wonderful intensity & skill. It was a very paint-by-numbers approach by the Bulls. It worked, but their style won’t win over any neutral A-League fans.
Garry
Roar Rookie
You cant know that..theres no ball tracking and anyone drawing such a line is merely speculating… I found one tik tok video which shows exactly what the replay in para shows – a ball going in the general direction of the goal shot from an angle above and to the left of the incident. It could be going high, could be missing the goal to the right even. You are seeing what you choose to see. Ive watched many cricket decisions recently which on prima facie viewing show the ball hitting the wicket..usually it isnt.ps and I remember very recently an offside decision for Sydney which wasnt given. On the first tv replay the player looked clearly offside, when the lines were drawn he was clearly onside. ps time for 10 Bold!
Waz
Roar Rookie
Love TikTok - just seen the Redmayne thing again there, the balls trajectory is straight towards the center of the goal.
Waz
Roar Rookie
There’s not a chance the review panel will wipe the red card, it was the correct decision.