I-League 2017/18: East Bengal vs Chennai City FC, 5 Talking Points

East Bengal sprung back to life and reignited their title hopes by crushing Chennai City FC 7-1 in a lop-sided I-League encounter on Saturday.

Khalid Jamil's men, who have often failed to post convincing victories, decimated the opposition on this occasion to pile up the pressure on the two other title contenders - NEROCA FC and Minerva Punjab FC.

This victory has pushed the Red and Golds to the second spot on the table while their goal difference has also received an upgrade (+13). Let's take a look at the talking points from this game:

#1 Khalid Jamil chooses attack over defence

Khalid Jamil has often been criticised for his defensive tactics but his approach to Saturday’s game was totally different. The East Bengal gaffer fielded all five foreigners – Dudu Omagbemi, Ansumana Kromah, Katsumi Yusa, Mahmoud Al Amna and Eduardo Ferraira, right from the first minute to keep the opponents under pressure. The ploy reaped immediate rewards as the scoreline would suggest.

East Bengal also shunned their usual strategy of scoring a goal and then protecting the lead as they went all guns blazing trying to net as many goals as possible. This move by Jamil’s boys killed Chennai’s hopes of staging a comeback in the game.

#2 Dudu Omagbemi returns to his best

The Nigerian who is in his second stint at East Bengal showed why he was once regarded as one of the most fearsome strikers in I-League. Before the Chennai game, he had only scored once in the five matches that he played this season. Cut to Saturday and Dudu can proudly tell the world that he is the only player to net four goals in a single game of I-League 2017/18.

The Red and Gold brigade must have breathed a sigh of relief seeing their marksman threaten the opponent’s goal every single time he had the ball at his feet. Dudu pounced on everything that was offered to him in the penalty area and made the most of every opportunity, increasing his goal tally to five.

#3 Mehtab Singh's matured performance

I-League rules have made it compulsory for all teams to field at least one U-22 player in every game. Often these youngsters are named in the starting line-up but then they are substituted with a senior footballer even before they could leave a mark. It’s a matter of trust and coaches often feel that a senior player would serve him better than the U-22 footballer.

However, the situation is totally different for East Bengal’s right back Mehtab Singh, who has put in great performances to demand his place in the team. Saturday was no different as the youngster literally owned the first half. Through balls and crosses were provided by him on a number of occasions which left the Chennai defence in tatters.

The highlight of Mehtab’s performance on Saturday was his pinpoint ball in the box from centre line, which was latched on to by Dudu who rounded off the keeper to score his first goal of the day.

#4 Chennai City FC fail to put up a fight

Mahmoud Al Amna scores East Bengal's first goal

As the scoreline would suggest, this was Chennai City FC’s worst game of the season, one which has left them dangerously close to the relegation zone. They came into this fixture on the back of four draws and a victory. East Bengal’s arch-rivals Mohun Bagan had already suffered at the hands of Chennai having lost once and drawn one game. Khalid Jamil had already pointed out that his opponents would be a tough nut to crack, but the visitors hardly put up a fight on Saturday which in turn made East Bengal’s job easier.

There was no cohesion between the goalkeeper and defence which allowed the East Bengal forwards to run their show as per their wish. While Ravanan was guilty of scoring an own goal, Dudu and Kromah were allowed too much space to dictate terms.

Chennai are eighth on the table with 16 points from 17 games. Unless other results go in their favour, even a win in the last match would not be enough to save Chennai from getting relegated.

#5 Gabriel's stunning strike

Gabriel Fernandes was making his first appearance in this season’s I-League and he seized the moment with a world-class strike. Coming on as a substitute for Brandon Vanlalremdika, Fernandes scored with his very first touch to make the scoreline 7-1.

Kromah brought a long ball under his control and laid it off for Fernandes outside the box who curled the ball past Chennai custodian Kabir Thaufiq into the right corner to spark wild celebrations in the East Bengal gallery.

The seasoned campaigner who has played for all the major Goan clubs would like to keep a recording of that strike in his memory card for the rest of his life.

Edited by Argha Bhattacharya