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Chennaiyin FC registered a crucial 1-0 victory over FC Pune City in Saturday's ISL top of the table encounter. Gregory Nelson scored a quality goal in the 83rd minute which ensured Pune remained winless in 8 attempts against Chennaiyin. With this win, Jeje Lalpekhlua and company moved to the top of the points table. Here are the major talking points from tonight:
#1 Emiliano Alfaro headbutts the referee by mistake
The opening minutes of the match were frantic to say the least. Chennaiyin and FC Pune City played end to end football from the get go. This was by far the best start to a game this ISL season.
There was more than just three points at stake. This was a match up between two extremely determined sides who were intent on proving their superiority over the other. With the adrenaline at an all time high, Emiliano Alfaro's excitement boiled over and he headbutted the referee in the opening minutes of the match. Albeit by mistake.
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After Pune failed to put to bed a glorious opportunity, Pune's striker immediately stepped up ever so close to the referee and began to remonstrate right in front of his face. In a moment of madness, he unintentionally made contact with the referee's head. It was a sight to behold. It's not everyday that a player headbutts an official. Alfaro received a yellow card for his bizarre antic. That was his only contribution tonight.
#2 Chennai and Pune show why they're better than most teams
Far too often, pundits and fans have complained about the quality of football in the final third of the pitch. Saturday's encounter was a battle between the league's second and third best sides.
Chennaiyin and Pune have been one of the few teams who have maintained their quality of football, at the same time put on a show for the fans. The first half showed why these two quality outfits have been head and shoulders above their counterparts this season.
The quality of the passes, the inch perfect long range crosses and the deft touches in close spaces from players of both teams were as good as it can get in the ISL. Chennai and Pune were playing at an extremely high tempo, a tempo that fans don't get to witness week in week out. This was a quality football match, through and through.
#3 Both coaches sit side by side and chat like best friends
With coaches of both sides still serving their suspension, they had to take their place in the stands tonight. But what nobody expected was for them to chat all night long. Chennai's John Gregory and Pune's Ranko Popovic were seated in the VIP box, right next to each other.
In what is probably another first, coaches of rival teams were exchanging notes and chatting away. All this while their respective sides were playing some intense, high-tempo football. The cameraman made sure to pan towards them every now and then.
There's no doubt that Ranko and John are among the most entertaining managers in the ISL. They're always full of life and never shy away from expressing their honest opinions. What we surely didn't predict was that the both of them would be deeply immersed in conversation, almost like best buddies.
#4 Main man Mihelic misses penalty
After a series of attacks from both sides, Chennai finally had the chance to go up courtesy a soft penalty awarded by the referee in the first half. Adil Khan's nudge on Gregory Nelson from behind set the stage alight. While the decision was debatable, Chennai could not make most of it.
With so much riding on this game, Rene Mihelic stepped up to take the all important penalty. Unfortunately, his spot kick was tame and Pune's keeper, Vishal Kaith did extremely well to get down and parry it away with his strong right hand.
Given the circumstances, Mihelic's miss did not prove to be expensive in the larger scheme of things. He was bailed out by his teammates late winner.
#5 FC Pune City now winless in 8 attempts against Chennaiyin
This was regarded as Pune's best chance to beat Chennaiyin. The visitors entered this game having never won against the southern side in the history of the ISL. Given their impressive form, Pune did provide a stern test however it wasn't enough.
Chennaiyin's, Gregory Nelson scored a sublime goal, late on, to give his side a crucial win against an extremely competent Pune outfit. Rapael Augusto was introduced in the second half and it was his defence splitting through ball for Nelson which proved to be the difference.
Time and again, Augusto has proven why he is so vital to Chennai's success. Tonight, he came on from the bench and made a huge difference. His presence lifted the entire team as he effortlessly glided past Pune's players and regularly made incisive passes.
