Chennai goes to the top

With this, Chennaiyin has reached the top position in standings with nine points. Jeje Lalpekhlua finally ended his goal drought with two goals, the last goal coming in the 90th minute.

In fact, all the five goals came in the second half. Both teams played out a goalless first half with the visitor enjoying a slightly better possession percentage with two shots on target. 

A long ball hoofed up to centre forward Jeje Lalpehklua from the centre line saw English centre-half Thomas Thorpe intercept it. 

ATK’s only goalscorer ahead of this game Bipin Singh found some decent space in the left flank. His cross was parried over the crossbar by Chennaiyin’s goalkeeper Karanjit Singh in the 28th minute. 

Spaniard Gavilan’s left-foot strike in the 36th minute went just wide off the goal post. The home side had its best spell around the 40-minute mark with Bikramjit Singh cutting to his right to find Jeje in the box. 

The tie, which was labelled as the ‘Clash of champions’ ahead of the encounter, certainly did not live up to its expectations in the opening half with both teams failing to create some moves in the opponent’s 18-yard box.

Chennaiyin FC head coach John Gregory made just one change to the starting line-up with former ATK midfielder Jaime Gavilan replacing injured Raphael Augusto. Teddy Sheringham made three changes to his team with Debjit Majumdar, Rupert Nongrum and Njazikuqi making it to the eleven. 

Jeje opened the account for the season 2 champion in the 65th minute, scoring after the ball rebounded off the near post. A swift interplay between Inigo Calderon and Jaime Gavilan courtesy of a short corner resulted in the goal. 

Midfielder Zequinha pegged back for the away side in the 77th minute by placing the ball into the bottom right corner. 

Chennaiyin FC restored its lead in the 84th minute after a strike from right-back Inigo Calderon deflected off Kolkata defender Thomas Thorpe. Kolkata managed a come back for the second time in the game after Finnish striker Njazi Kuqi scored in the 89th minute. 

Jeje slotted home the winner in the 90th minute after it came to him off a Debjit Majumdar punch. The Chennai fans also got a glimpse of veteran Robbie Keane for the first time as he played out the final half an hour. 

CFC will next be up against Mumbai City FC in its second away match of the season on Sunday.