The Big Blue has delivered all the fire and drama fans have come to expect as Sydney FC drew 3-3 with Melbourne Victory in an action-packed A-League clash on Saturday night.

It might have been Valentine’s Day but there was no love lost at Allianz Stadium as the fierce rivals repeated the result of their last meeting.

No team has scored more goals this season than Victory and the might of their attacking force was on full display with Kosta Barbarouses, Gui Finkler and Nick Ansell getting on the scoresheet.

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Substitute Shane Smeltz scored a double for Sydney, one from a controversial penalty, with Mark Janko adding to the tally, also from the penalty spot.

It’s rarely a dull affair when these two sides meet and it didn’t take long for the action to get started on Saturday night.

Before 10 minutes had elapsed, Victory’s Jason Geria conceded a penalty for bringing down Chris Naumoff in the box.

Janko stepped up to the mark in the eighth minute and made no mistake, netting his eighth of the season.

With no lack of attacking fire-power, it was just a matter of time before Victory equalised with Besart Berisha and Barbarouses combining to level at 1-1.

Berisha charged his way through midfield to set up a well-placed Barbarouses, who netted in the 34th minute for his third goal in three games.

Berisha and Barbarouses were at it again minutes later, this time setting up Finkler with a classy one-two play, the Brazilian making it 2-1 for the visitors just before halftime.

The Sky Blues emerged from the break looking determined to equalise with coach Graham Arnold bringing on Socceroos midfielder Terry Antonis for Naumoff.

With less than half an hour remaining, Arnold brought star striker Smeltz on for Janko, but it was from another penalty, albeit a questionable one, that Sydney would level.

Sydney were awarded the penalty after what appeared minimal contact from Finkler on Sebastian Ryall in the box, Smeltz calmly equalising from the spot in the 73rd minute.

But before the hosts could celebrate, Victory took the ascendancy again to go up 3-2 in the 78th minute with Nick Ansell heading home off a Finkler cross.

Sydney drew level yet again in the 85th minute with Aaron Calvar setting up Smeltz for the looping header.

– AAP