ISL 2017/18, Match 52: FC Pune City vs ATK, 5 Talking Points

It was more pain for defending champions ATK as FC Pune City convincingly beat them 3-0 to deal their playoff hopes a severe blow. Adil Khan, Diego Carlos and youngster Rohit Kumar got the goals for the hosts who looked impressive to rebound from their loss against Chennaiyin FC.

Here's what stood out from the game:

It's that man again - Adil Khan!

Prior to the season, much of the talk about Pune City involved the signing of ace marksmen Marcelinho and Emiliano Alfaro along with the likes of Jonatan Lucca and Marcos Tebar. However, the most consistent and impactful player for them has been 29-year-old Adil Khan.

He's played defensive midfield, he's played right-back depending on the requirements of the team. He's been the dependable rock that the team has been able to bank on regularly. His performances have probably made him one of the first players Ranko Popovic names on the team sheet.

And he's also got the goals!

Today he got his fourth, in typical fashion, popping up at set-pieces to always be a threat. He broke the deadlock on Saturday with a thumping header from a Marcelinho corner in the 32nd minute. He really has been one of the best performers, not just for FC Pune City, but overall in the league this season and his impressive showings might just get him back into the Indian squad soon.

Diego dazzles for Pune once again

Diego Carlos was instrumental on the night. (Photo: ISL)

When FC Pune City travelled to Chennaiyin for their last game, they were without one of their leading men in Marcelinho due to suspension. The man that came in to replace him was Brazilian Diego Carlos.

He was superb against Chennaiyin in the first half there as he posed their defence multiple problems with his pace and dribbling ability from the left wing position. He was unlucky not to score there as he saw a curling effort denied by the crossbar.

It was indicative of the impression he made that he got to start here again with Pune going for a lethal front-line of Marcelinho, Emiliano Alfaro and Diego. He was very good on the night too and got a deserved goal for himself, Pune's second, in the 59th minute to put his team well in control of this encounter.

Cutting in from the left, with the ATK defence completely backing off, he was allowed space to dribble into. Diego obliged by taking the ball further and unleashing a shot past Debjit Majumder from the edge of the area. A well-taken goal.

Jewel on the line

One header by Jewel Raja was all it took. (Photo: ISL)

The match could have had a different complexion had ATK managed to equalize before half-time, thus going into the break level.

However, in the right spot to deny them was Pune midfielder Jewel Raja who effected an impressive goal-line clearance to prevent ATK from scoring in the 36th minute.

From a corner, Ryan Taylor's ball found it's way into the danger area and as players jostled for the ball, it eventually fell to Conor Thomas, who struck it well to send his effort goal-bound. ATK probably thought they had scored especially as Vishal Kaith was out of the picture, but Raja produced a gem of a clearance to keep the visitors out.

Alfaro with an astonishing miss

Alfaro was poor on the night (Photo: ISL)

While Pune won this convincingly in the end, Alfaro would be disappointed that he couldn't get his name on the score-sheet.

In the 19th minute, the Uruguayan striker produced one of the misses of the season.

Diego after a wonderful run down the left, picked out Alfaro bursting into the box with a precise cross, leaving Alfaro with a seemingly simple finish just a few yards away from goal.

But Alfaro though, seeing that the cross was low, seemed to get caught in two minds as to go with his head or foot. Eventually, he tried to force a low header but ended up putting it well wide. For a striker of his quality, that would be one miss he would want to forget in a hurry.

Prabir Das also had one bad miss for ATK. He had more time than he thought he did and ended up with a weak header that troubled no one.

Teddy can't come good on his word

Teddy Sheringham's words seem to be ringing hollow. (Photo: ISL)

Goals scored - 1. Goals conceded - 7.

That's ATK's record versus Pune City this season which, continues a trend of Pune City being a bogey team for ATK in this league. The Kolkata side has only beaten the Stallions once, losing every other game.

Sheringham, ahead of the game had said he was "looking to make amends" for the heavy 1-4 defeat in Kolkata earlier this season. On the pitch though, none of that resolve was visible as ATK seemed to have no clear-cut plan on how to stop Pune City.

They played without a proper striker until Robin Singh was introduced in the second half. Defensively, they tried to keep a compact shape, but allowed Pune too much time on the ball. Any chance they had to score came from s

et-pieces as they didn't pose much of a threat.

This game was comfortable for Pune, something Sheringham and ATK won't be happy about when they go back home.