Adelaide vs Wellington reaction: 'The ref lost control of the game'

Both Adelaide and Wellington entered the contest as even as could be - each on four wins, three draws, three losses, 14 goals scored, 13 conceded.

Adelaide United dominated proceedings, with a possession-focused Wellington Phoenix side unwilling to break forward menacingly on the counter. 

Away from a TV but listening on ABC Grandstand - commentators suggesting ref has lost control of game; verdict? Fair red for Mandi? Lia/Isaias being niggle merchants? #ADLvWEL

— Richard Parkin (@rrjparkin) 5 January 2019

When the Nix's Mandi was sent off for kicking Vince Lia while the Red was spawled on the ground - a controversial decision given Lia was laying over the ball - Adelaide threw the kitchen sink at Wellington but the Kiwi's were steadfast, blocks flying left, right and centre.

Not a red for me. He's going to swing for the ball before it goes under the Adelaide player, who pulled it under him using his hand. Accidental hit on the player who's on the ground. Not his fault the way the player was down #ADLvWEL

— Anthony Vescio (@vesh88) 5 January 2019

Adelaide finished with 22 shots to Phoenix's four, but the spoils were shared one-point apiece, leaving both sides sitting pretty on 16 points, Adelaide still ahead on head-to-head record, after beating Wellington 3-1 at Westpac in late November.