ISL: Chennaiyin notches up first win in style

It was a transformed Chennaiyin FC that turned up at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday. Playing a brand of football it rarely displayed in its previous four matches, the host served up a pre-Deepavali treat to its fans with an impressive 5-3 win — its first of the season — over East Bengal FC in the Indian Super League.

Braces from Brison Fernandes and Irfan Yadwad, along with a penalty converted by Ramon Tanque, completed a dominant performance by the host. Chennaiyin launched attacks from both flanks and through the centre, creating several chances.

Brison drew first blood after a fine pass from the right by Irfan. Unmarked, he fired a powerful right-footed shot past goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill. He then made it 2-0 with a strong strike from outside the box. East Bengal struggled to break through Chennaiyin’s defence but reduced the margin through Ake Loba, who scored from close range after Daniel Ramirez dispossessed Ayush Dev and set him up.

Brison was in the thick of things again when Jeakson Singh brought him down inside the box. Ramon converted the resulting penalty. A handball by Chennaiyin’s Muhammed Saheef early in the second half gifted East Bengal a penalty and Ramirez made no mistake.

The visitor then showed greater purpose, attacking down the flanks. However, Chennaiyin reasserted its supremacy when substitute Lalhriatpuia’s fierce shot was deflected into the net by Irfan. Soon the latter added his second with a fine finish after a through pass from Ramon.

The results: Chennayin FC 5 (Brison Fernandes 4, 18, Ramon Tanque 41-pen, Irfan Yadwad 59, 67) bt East Bengal FC 3 (Ake Loba 29, Daniel Ramirez 47-pen, David Hmar 90+1). At Pune: Inter Kashi 0 lost to SC Delhi 3 (Carlos Fortes 6, Juan Pena 74, Rodriguinho 88).