ISL 2017/18: Chennaiyin FC vs Delhi Dynamos FC, Player Ratings
Sunday's double-header action in the ISL began in Chennai as the high-flying Chennaiyin FC took on the struggling Delhi Dynamos FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Chennaiyin FC began the game in the second spot on the table with 16 points from their eight matches and they had a chance to leapfrog FC Pune City and go atop the table. Delhi Dynamos FC, on the other hand, were on the bottom with just three points from their seven matches, having lost six games on the trot.
The two sides shared the spoils in an exciting affair in Chennai as a late strike from Guyon Fernandez saw the Delhi Dynamos equalize. Jeje Lalpekhlua, who turned 27 today, grabbed a brace on his birthday and put the Chennai side ahead after David Ngaihte's header had given the away side the lead early on.
Chennaiyin FC are now atop the standings with a tally of 17 points from nine matches whereas Delhi Dynamos stay at the bottom with 4 points from eight matches.
Here are the player ratings from the match:
Chennaiyin FC
Karanjit Singh (7) - The Chennai custodian was beaten in the first half by a great move by the Dynamos when David Ngaihte scored past him with a powerful headed effort. Karanjit made a superb save from an effort by Romeo Fernandes in the first half that kept the scores level. He was unfortunate to concede at the end after putting in a commanding performance.
Inigo Calderon (7) - The former Brighton and Hove Albion man was a lively presence on the right flank for the home side. Calderon made a lot of marauding runs on the wings and was solid in the defence as well.
Mailson Alves (7.5) - The Brazilian centre-back who was handed the captain's armband in the absence of Henrique Serano was a rock in the defence for the home side. He came close to scoring on a couple of occasions as well.
Dhanachandra Singh (7) - Singh, who came in on account of Sereno's suspension did well alongside Mailson Alves with some crucial interceptions and clearances. He was caught napping when David Ngaihte scored the header but overall, had a stable night in the centre-back position.
Jerry Lalrinzuala (7) - The young Indian left-back was always in the action with his movement on the left flank keeping the Delhi right-back Pritam Kotal alert all times. Jerry combined well with Mihelic and Nelson to create chances for the home side.
Dhanpal Ganesh (7.5) - The local lad was a strong figure in the Chennai midfield as he played the role of facilitating play between the defence and the attack for the home side.
Germanpreet Singh (7) - The young Indian international's role in the midfield was mostly resorted to stopping the Delhi plays from taking shape. Germanpreet provided the assist for Jeje's second goal with a good pass into the box.
Francisco Fernandes (5.5) - The Goan winger had a quiet outing today as he was not involved much for Chennaiyin FC in their attacking moves. He was substituted in the second half and made way for Nigerian Jude Nworuh
Rene Mihelic (8) - The former Slovenian international Mihelic was the driving force behind the Chennaiyin FC attacks. The midfielder moved the ball across the pitch and provided good deliveries from set-pieces as well, providing the assist for Jeje's goal from a free-kick.
Gregory Nelson (7.5) - The Dutch winger was a constant source of worry for the Delhi defence with his strong runs on the left flank. Nelson put in some crucial crosses for Jeje inside the box and created many chances.
Jeje Lalpekhlua (9) - The Mizo Sniper, who turned 27 today, had a pretty quiet outing till he scored the equalizing goal for the home side with a great header from Mihelic's delivery. Jeje got his brace on the night early in the second half with a great finish into the top corner after turning Pratik Chowdhary with a good move.
Substitutes:
Jude Nworuh (5.5) - The Nigerian winger came on in the second half and was in the thick of things providing some good crosses into the box for Nelson and Jeje to latch onto.
Raphael Augusto (5.5) - The Brazilian came on in the second half to raucous cheers from the home crowd and slotted right into the role of the midfield general. He moved the ball around well
Anirudh Thapa (4.5) - The young midfielder replaced Gregory Nelson for the final five minutes of the match and did not have enough time to have an impact on the game.