ISL 2015: Mumbai City FC 0-0 FC Pune City: 5 talking points

FC Pune City did well to hold their arch-rivals Mumbai FC in a dull goalless encounter. However, was a Diwali gift for the FC Pune City as Mumbai who dominated the proceedings failed to make use of their home turf, at the at the D Y Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, on Friday. Pune are now on equal terms on top with FC Goa with 15 points, while despite one point the Nicolas Anelka led side, Mumbai are stationed in the place sixth place with 12 points. It's not the best situation for Mumbai City FC but they have done better than their last campaign so far.Here are the 5 talking points from the game:All images in this slideshow are courtesy of the ISL.

#1 A mixed bag for Arindam

Arindam Bhattacharya looked shaky at the beginning of the game, particularly when his goal kick was well blocked by Subhash Singh, the Pune keeper was lucky Subash failed to find back of the net.

However, Arindam did make up for the blunder, when he came up against Kuttymani's volley from a hand shaking distance. The Karnataka midfielder Sampath Kuttymani, who came in as a substitute for Margao’s Brandon Fernandes, since the latter pulled up with a hamstring injury in the 24th minute of play, did well to control the ball after Anelka floated the ball from the right wing, but blasted the strike straight on to Arindam who managed to get his hands on it and deflect the ball for a corner.

It was by no means a goalkeeping masterclass but the FC Pune City goalkeeper found himself making more than one crucial contribution to the game. He could have been the villain, but eventually turned out to be a hero.

#2 Didier Zokora shines for FC Pune City

The Ivory Coast's Didier Zokora was at his best, making his presence being present in the right place at the right time. He stood as a hard rock between Mumbai and his goal.

He was rightly adjudged hero of the match at the end of the game. Mumbai's skipper Anelka was in his element, and it was Zokora who played like a warrior to save the day for David Platt and his boys in their 10th encounter of the 2nd edition of the Indian Super league.

The former Tottenham midfielder put in quite a shift as Frederic Piquionne, Anelka and Subash all struggled to get past the midfielder due to his superb positioning and often sheer determination to get there faster.

#3 Jinxed Subash Singh

It was truly the jinx of Friday the 13th for Mumbai striker Subash Singh. He was agile and fleet-footed, and always threatened the Pune defence time and again but just couldn’t get the ball over the line.

In the 27th minute of the game, he had the golden chance to put Mumbai ahead, after he successfully blocked Pune keeper, Arindam’s kick from the penalty box. When the ball broke loose, with an empty goal in front of him, the Manipuri striker Singam Subash Singh only managed to put the ball on the side of the net.

He did try to make up for the error on numerous occasions with his industry and skill, but failed in all his bids.

#4 Anelka\'s longevity

It was a surprise for see Frenchman Nicolas Anelka, play the entire match. The former Chelsea player was outstanding both as the skipper and the manager. He was the main driving force behind the Ranbir Kapoor's side, Mumbai.

His effortless manner of going about in the game needed the Pune defence to come up with their best effort. The cool customer as he was, did have a very good understanding and his passes were perfect and few went off the intended mark.

Having said that, he was denied the required support on the night. It was surprising to see this 36-year-old player, Anelka play the entire duration of the game at such an intensity.

#5 A poor display from Mutu

Adrian Mutu, the Romanian striker was off target. His passes were wayward while his aim at the goal was off course. There were main moves wherein he came good, but failed to deliver when it mattered the most.

In one of such moves, he did outpace a couple of defenders, and with just one defender to beat, he tapped the ball into the no man’s land which did surprise many followers of the game. It was a black Friday for the former Chelsea striker.

David Platt will definitely look at the replay of the match and should make the required changes for their next encounter, however, it remains to be seen if Mutu will be handed another chance or whether they have too little time to take that chance.