ISL 2015: Mumbai City FC 2-0 Delhi Dynamos - 5 Talking Points

Mumbai City FC finally got their season on track with a convincing 2-0 win over Delhi Dynamos in a fixture that saw a brace from Indian national team captain Sunil Chhetri. The win comes as a major boost for Nicolas Anelka's side who had registered just a single point in their previous three games.The victory sees the side move ahead of NorthEast United in the ISL table whereas Roberto Carlos’s Delhi Dynamos missed the chance to go top of the league for the first time in ISL history. The manner of the win will come as a major boost for the side from Maharashtra who, for all their quality, have looked lacklustre in the tournament so far. And Anelka's side will be hoping they can kick start their season from here on.Here are the major talking points from the game.

#1 Sunil Chhetri announces himself on the ISL stage

Sunil Chhetri grabbed a brace (Image courtesy of ISL)

The Indian Super League looked incomplete last season without the presence of the country’s star player. But it seems this season the forward is making amends for his absence from last year’s tournament.

Prior to the game, Mumbai City FC had registered just a solitary goal and point from their previous three games. But the on-loan Bengaluru FC forward rose to the occasion as his brace took Mumbai to their first win of this season.

The most expensive player in the ISL auction was a constant nuisance for the away side as his pace and link-up play proved to be the difference in the game. Chhetri combined well with Sony Norde in attack to score the first goal and was then rewarded for his services as Norde placed the ball for his strike partner to seal the game.

The 31-year-old often dropped deep to create chances for the attackers, helping both in midfield as well as attack. While Mumbai’s midfield found it hard to co-ordinate upfront, Chhetri proved to be the difference as he performed consistently well in his role behind the striker.

#2 Delhi Dynamos pay for their dismal defending

Sony Norde troubled Delhi’s defence (Image courtesy of ISL)

Delhi Dynamos’ defensive frailties were exposed against Kerala Blasters when Sanchez Watt ran rings around them in the second half. The striker’s pace was difficult to deal with for the Delhi back four and they were lucky enough to scrape past the side from the south to register a win.

That didn’t happen this time around as Anelka's strike force took full advantage of a sub-standard performance from Delhi’s backline. Chicao, who has performed well as a defensive midfielder previously, started as a centre back alongside Anas Edathodika and the duo looked short of ideas to deal with Mumbai’s brilliance up front.

While Norde and Chettri will rue their missed opportunities, a positive for Anelka’s men will be to see how easily they created so many opportunities despite having registered lesser possession. The introduction of Anwar Ali in the second half hardly changed things as both the front men found it fairly easy to deal with Delhi’s backline.

John Arne Riise’s presence in his favoured left back position hardly paid dividends as the Ranbir Kapoor co-owned side beat the Dynamos defence with sheer pace to register a much-needed win.

#3 Non-existent midfield for both sides

Singam Subash Singh of Mumbai City FC and Sehnaj Singh of Delhi Dynamos FC in action (Image courtesy of ISL)

While Chhetri stole the show, the performance overall though was fairly disappointing as both sides’ midfielders were pedestrian throughout the game. The sight of centre-back Chicao attacking and striker Chhetri defending was rather baffling to watch considering the lack of effort from midfield.

Sehnaj Singh got his first start of the season playing alongside Hans Mulder in the midfield, but the Chandigarh-born midfielder found it hard to adjust to the pace of the game and was taken off in the second half.

Francis Fernandes, who was starting ahead of Shylo Mama, went unseen throughout the game. His only effort in the game came midway into the second half when his shot from distance went sailing over the bar.

Mumbai City too looked fairly dismal in the centre of the field as it was Chhetri who had to drop deep in order to create chances for the attackers. Both Bustos and Aguilera looked uncomfortable in dealing with the speed of Dos Santos and Malouda who strolled past the duo to create chances.

#4 Anelka outsmarts former teammate Carlos

Roberto Carlos with Nicolas Anelka before the match (Image courtesy of ISL)

It was the battle of the former Champions League winning duo of Real Madrid as Nicolas Anelka went toe-to-toe with Roberto Carlos. While the Brazilian saw his side perfectly placed in second place, it was a must-win game for Anelka whose side were bottom of the table.

On the evening, though, the Frenchman came out on top as he outsmarted the other marquee manager to register a win. Carlos’s shift of tactics that saw Chicao play as the centre back backfired as the former Corinthians defender looked out of sorts against Mumbai’s attack. Although Chicao moved to central midfield in the second half, the damage had already been done as the Brazilian looked short of fitness as the game progressed.

Anelka’s decision to start with Subhash Singh too made a vital difference as the Indian forward created havoc while going forward. His pace and combination with Norde and Chettri was difficult to deal with. The Frenchman outsmarted his counterpart by playing three forwards with ample pace and it ultimately worked well as Carlos’s side had no answer to the questions posed by Mumbai City.

#5 Mumbai City need to build on this win

Mumbai City play their next three games at home (Image courtesy of ISL)

Consistency is key to win any trophy and that is one thing Mumbai City FC have lacked in the ISL. Last season as well the side from Maharashtra failed to capitalise after registering points and ultimately their inconsistency saw them doomed, finishing in the wrong half of the table.

The start to this season’s tournament hasn’t been great as well with this win taking their tally to four points in four games. While Mumbai City looked fairly decent in their opening clash, they have failed to build on it in the next two games.

The absence of marquee player Nicolas Anelka from the field has also been a big blow for the side who have lacked an inspirational figure up front. But the return of Sunil Chhetri comes in time for the side.

Mumbai City now have three back-to-back home games against FC Goa, NorthEast United and Atletico de Kolkata. And to win a tournament of such a short nature, it is important to maintain a good home form.