Chennaiyin FC played out their third successive draw of the season as a stunning strike by Leo Costa two minutes from time gave Mumbai City FC a point. Jeje Lalpekhlua had earlier given Chennaiyin the lead with a header from a Maurizio Peluso corner.
Also read: ISL 2016: Chennaiyin FC 1-1 Mumbai City FC - 5 talking points
Here’s how the players fared.
Chennaiyin FC
Duwayne Kerr – 5/10
The big Jamaican does not seem to be making use of his physique. He was caught napping with most of Mumbai’s crosses on the night, and was very uncertain. He once again showed everyone why he is not an automatic choice in the Chennaiyin goal.
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Mehrajuddin Wadoo – 6/10
Defensively, Wadoo was barely tested. When he went forward, he put in some really good crosses for the likes of Jeje and Dudu to attack.
Eli Sabia – 6/10
Whether it was Sony Norde or Diego Forlan playing through the middle, Sabia dealt with their threat expertly. It looks like he is the automatic choice at the heart of the Chennaiyin defence with John Arne Riise and Bernard Mendy fighting for the other slot.
Bernard Mendy – 6/10
Like Sabia, he was strong, both aerially and when the ball was on the ground. What was thrown at him, he dealt with. Like the rest of the defense, there was little he could do about Costa’s stunner.
Jerry Lalrinzuala – 7/10
The youngster seems to be getting better with every game he plays in. Today he did very well defensively and grew as an attacking threat as the game went on. He still needs to work on delivering the killer final ball, though.
Siam Hanghal – 7/10
Hanghal had a very good game. He shadowed Diego Forlan for a large part of the game and eventually ensured that the Uruguayan had very little impact.
Harmanjot Khabra – 6/10
It was a typical Khabra performance. He ran around and did the dirty work well, but his quality on the ball let him down.
Raphael Augusto – 7/10
Another classy performance from the Brazilian midfielder. For a man as well built as he is, his balance on the ball is uncanny. He will have a big role to play for Chennaiyin, especially if Hans Mulder’s injury keeps him out for a while.
Thoi Singh – 4/10
On his return from injury, Thoi looked very rusty. As usual, he was running around, did a lot of hassling, but when he got on the ball, he was dire. His touch let him down on multiple occasions.
Maurizio Peluso – 7/10
He gave Aiborlang Khongjee a tough time as long as he was on the pitch. He delivered an inch-perfect corner for Jeje’s goal.
Jeje Lalpekhlua – 8/10
In every game you see him, Jeje seems to have gotten better than the last. Against two strong centre-backs in Anwar Ali and Lucian Goian, he held his own, physically. He won his fair share of aerial duels, none more important than his headed goal.
Substitutes
Dudu Omagbemi – 6/10
He came on at half-time for Thoi. He spurned a big opportunity when he was put through one-on-one with the goalie by Jeje, but Albino stood up well to block the shot.
Jayesh Rane – 5/10
He didn’t help himself too much by trying a little too hard for the spectacular.
Manuele Blasi – 4/10
He came on late in the game to see out the win for Chennaiyin, but eventually Costa’s goal meant he didn’t.
Mumbai City FC
Albino Gomes – 5/10
It was a funny performance from Albino. He made a few good saves and punched a few dangerous crosses away, but his kicking went all awry.
Aibor Khongjee – 5/10
Khongjee was troubled by Peluso. He kept allowing the Italian to get on his right foot when the sensible thing to do would have been to show him on to the outside.
Anwar Ali – 6/10
He stood up strongly to the Chennaiyin onslaught at the start of the second half, to ensure that Mumbai were still in the game.
Lucian Goian – 7/10
Goian had a terrific game for Mumbai. Alexandre Guimaraes trusts him as the leader of their defense and he once again proved his boss right.
Sena Ralte – 6/10
In the first half, Ralte was helped by Thoi’s rustiness. But in the second half, he had a different challenge to deal with in the form of Dudu and Jayesh, but he dealt well with most of what Chennaiyin threw at him.
Krisztian Vadocz – 5/10
We’ve seen Vadocz be far more influential than this. Mumbai will be hoping this was just an off day and not a sign of things to come.
Sehnaj Singh – 5/10
Sehnaj was overrun by Raphael for most of the first half. He was replaced by Jackichand Singh very early in the second period.
Gerson Viera – 6/10
Gerson tried hard, did all the dirty work, but really couldn’t set Mumbai on their way to pose any attacking threat.
Cafu – 4/10
Very poor game for the Brazilian. Nothing that he tried worked, and his body language told the story as his head was down and shoulders dropped. He was replaced in the 69th minute by Thiago Cunha.
Diego Forlan – 6/10
Full marks to the Uruguayan legend for effort. But he needed more help from his midfield. Far too often for Mumbai’s liking, Forlan was dropping deep to receive the ball and try and set them on their way. His set-piece deliveries caused Kerr problems all game.
Sony Norde – 4/10
Norde was anonymous for most of the game and provided Forlan with no support whatsoever.
Substitutes
Jackichand Singh – 5/10
There was barely any impact from Jacki as he was marshaled well by Jerry.
Leo Costa – 8/10
What a goal it was from Costa! It earned Mumbai a point and probably earned himself a place in the season highlights reel.
Thiago Cunha – 5/10
Cunha would have liked to be more prevalent as an attacking threat.
