ISL 2016: Kerala Blasters 3-1 Chennaiyin FC - player ratings

CK Vineeth was the star of the show, scoring two goals (Image courtesy of ISL)

Kerala Blasters got the better of arch-rivals Chennaiyin FC in the second South Indian derby of this year's Indian Super League, which took place on Saturday. Chennai, who were the away side on the night, got the lead in the first half and were dominant initially. However, Kerala executed yet another comeback to beat their rivals and take home the three points. 

It was Bernard Mendy who gave Chennai the lead, but goals from Didier Boris Kadio and C.K. Vineeth won the game for the Blasters. Vineeth, who scored his team's winner against Goa days ago, found the net twice late in the game.

Here are the player ratings for the match:

Kerala Blasters

Graham Stack - 6/10

The 35-year-old keeper had nothing much to do the whole game. He couldn't do anything about Mendy's goal as the ball deflected after hitting teammate Cedric Hengbart. He must have had his heart in his mouth a few times during the match when few shots from Chennai players deflected and went close to the goalpost.

Pratik Chaudhari - 5/10

The defender had a very tough time against Chennai captain Mendy, who played on the left wing on the night. Chaudhari found it difficult to defend the big Frenchman. The Indian player was caught out of position when Mendy easily ran towards the goal on the left wing and scored. He stepped up later in the match.

Sandesh Jhingan - 6.5/10

The centre-back was not at his best against Chennai, but he made sure that he did his job. Jhingan was decent with his tackling and interceptions. A couple of shots that deflected off the player almost went into the Kerala goal. 

Cedric Hengbart - 7/10

Hengbart is arguably the best Kerala player so far. The French centre-back, who was the captain of the men in yellow, worked his socks off on the night. His tackles and interceptions were good. The 36-year old was also solid aerially. The player couldn't do anything about Chennai's goal.

Josu Currais - 7/10

The Spaniard was decent at left back again. His pace was very useful in handling Chennai's Jayesh Rane. Also the 23-year old's well-executed pass to Antonio German setup Vineeth for his second of the night.

Azrack Mahamat - 5/10

The 28-year old was almost invisible in the game. Mahamat was sloppy with and without the ball. The midfielder was not up to his standards against the Super Machans.

Mehtab Hossain - 6/10

Mehtab is one of the Blasters' most underrated players this season, but he was not up to the mark on Saturday. Like Mahamat, the Indian midfielder was also almost invisible throughout the game. The 31-year old was better in the second half.

Mohammed Rafique - 6/10

Rafique had an overall decent game against Chennai. The midfielder used his pace effectively and also produced some good crosses. The 24-year old did not have much impact on the game, though.

Michael Chopra - 4/10

This game should convince Kerala manager Steve Coppell that Chopra is not fit to start games. The former Newcastle player was too slow and was also sloppy with the ball at his feet. He slowed down the whole team. Chopra had a couple of good moments in the game and was rightly subbed off at the start of second half.

Kervens Belfort - 5/10

Kerala's best forward so far got injured early in the game and was subbed off in the 28th minute of the game. The Haitian was replaced by German.

C.K Vineeth - 8/10

The Malayali forward was very poor in the first half but got better in the second. He took his two chances very well and turned Hero of his team again after returning to the squad. Vineeth will be important for Coppell's men in the coming fixtures.

Substitutes

Antonio German - 7.5/10

The 24-year old came on for an injured Belfort in the first half and was a real threat to the Chennai defence. The English forward assisted two of his team's goals and had a huge role in their win. German was incorrectly given a yellow card for diving. 

Didier Boris Kadio - 7/10

The Ivorian was brought into the game at the start of the second half as a replacement for Chopra. Kadio played a huge role in Kerala's comeback and deserves credit. He scored his team's equaliser and was the one who revitalised the Blasters.

Rino Anto - 7/10

The Malayali player, who replaced Rafique in the 76th minute of the game, made his first appearance for Kerala and did very well. The fullback gave a very tough time to Chennai's Mehrajuddin Wadoo.