The first match of February kicked off in Mumbai as Mumbai City FC hosted Jamshedpur FC in the 61st match of ISL's fourth season.
The match saw the clash of the fifth and sixth-placed teams. Jamshedpur FC were fifth with 19 points from thirteen matches while Mumbai City FC had garnered 17 points from twelve matches this season.
Jamshedpur FC won the match in the final stretch as Bikash Jairu scored after coming on as a substitute to secure all three points for the visitors. Mumbai City FC dominated the second half after an own goal in the first half had put them behind. Everton Santos levelled things up for the hosts but Jairu scored in the nick of time to break the hearts of the home fans.
Mumbai City FC
Amrinder Singh (5.5/10) - The India international keeper was called into action many times as Jamshedpur started on a strong note in the first half. He was unlucky to concede the two goals in the match as both strikes didn't result from his fault.
Mehrajuddin Wadoo (5.5/10) - The former Chennaiyin FC man was a strong presence in Mumbai's three-man defence. Wadoo put in a crucial tackle when he took the ball off Izu Azuka's foot during a move which could have led to a sure shot goal.
Gerson Vieira (5.5/10) - The Mumbai captain led the defence well with strong clearances and won aerial duels for the home side. He organized his troops perfectly at the back as they kept the Jamshedpur FC attackers in control.
Marcio Rosario (5.5/10) - The Brazilian defender was solid in the centre for the home side alongside fellow countryman Gerson Vieira as they did well against the Jamshedpur attack. He was unlucky when Farukh's shot ricocheted off his boot before drifting towards the goalline.
Sahil Tavora (6.5/10) - Tavora was given a new role by coach Alexandre Guimaraes. He played as a left wing-back for the home side and looked comfortable in the new position as he made a lot of runs on the flank and even had a shot on goal that was parried away by Subrata Paul. He also helped out in defence while dealing with the dangerous Jerry.
Zakeer Mundampara (5.5/10) - The former Chennaiyin FC footballer played in front of the defence. He moved around the park well and tracked back to make interceptions and break up Jamshedpur's attacking moves.
Achille Emana (6.5/10) - The Cameroonian was the major creative source for the Mumbaikars, and always kept finding good through-balls for the attackers up front. He used his strong physical presence well to win challenges and kept the Jamshedpur defence busy.
Sanju Pradhan (5.5/10) - The right wing-back had a good attacking shift as he made a lot of runs and combined well with Everton Santos up front. He provided a lot of crosses in the box and did well to fall back and defend for his team. However, he failed to clear a ball which was deflected towards the Mumbai goal in the first half and ended up scoring an own goal.
Everton Santos (7.5/10) - The Brazilian attacker was a menace on the left wing as he constantly kept making runs and winning free-kicks. Everton equalized for the home side when he scored from a corner in the 79th minute.
Thiago Santos (7/10) - The other Santos in the Mumbai side played centrally and did well along with Emana in the midfield. He had a couple of good runs into the box and took shots at the Jamshedpur goal. He also provided the assist for the Everton Santos goal.
Balwant Singh (6.5/10) - The top goalscorer for Mumbai played majorly as the target man up ahead and kept making good runs from the left and centre. Balwant had a couple of clear-cut chances but was wasteful, to say the least.
Substitutes:
Rafa Jorda (4.5/10) - The tall striker was brought on by Guimaraes as Mumbai pressed in the second half for the equaliser.
Raju Gaikwad (4/10) - He replaced Mehrajudin Wadoo in the defence as the coach introduced fresh legs at the back for the home side.
Leo Costa (4/10) - The Brazilian midfielder replaced Emana in the central midfield as Mumbai went in search of the elusive winner after equalising in the match.
Jamshedpur FC
Subrata Paul (7.5/10) - Subrata Paul had a busy night between the sticks as Mumbai kept attacking the Jamshedpur goal throughout the match. He produced good saves for the away side and was adjudged the man of the match.
Souvik Chakraborty (6.5/10) - The man who has played all the minutes for the Jamshedpur side was his usual industrious self on the right flank. He did well on both ends of the park operating in attack as well defence with good spirit.
Anas Edathodika (6/10) - The Indian centre-back was a strong presence in the Jamshedpur defence as he marked Balwant Singh throughout the match. He made some crucial last-ditch tackles to avert the danger of the Mumbai attackers.
Tiri (6/10) - The Spanish centre-back did well in the central defence as he won a lot of aerial duels and made crucial clearances for the away side as the Mumbai side stepped up pressure on the defence. He was always a threat from setpieces and even came close to scoring on one occasion.
Raju Yumnam (5.5/10) - The Jamshedpur FC left-back had a busy night as Everton Santos kept him on his toes throughout the match. He was subdued on the attacking front having to deal with the dual threat from Santos and Pradhan on his flank.
Andre Bikey (6/10) - The Cameroonian was deployed in a defensive midfield role alongside Memo as he played just in front of the defence. He had the task of marking the Mumbai danger man Achille Emana in the midfield and fared pretty well.
Memo (6/10) - The Brazilian defensive midfielder had a busy night as Mumbai kept the pressure on the away side. Memo played alongside Andrey Bikey to quell Mumbai's attacking threat but the Mumbaikars got the better of the duo on most occasions.
Jerry Mawihmingthanga (6/10) - The diminutive winger had a quiet night compared to his usual standards as his threat was nullified by the Mumbai defenders. He was up against Sahil Tavora on most occasions who did well to keep him in check. He had a good chance to double the lead in the second half but could not score past Amrinder.
Wellington Priori (5/10) - Priori, who has been on a good run of form since signing for Jamshedpur FC, had a poor outing tonight. He played behind the attacker and moved along the midfield but wasn't confident on the ball and was ineffective against the stubborn Mumbai defence.
Farukh Choudhary (6.5/10) - The Mumbai-born winger was a lively presence in the first half with his runs on the left flank for Jamshedpur FC. His darting run into the box and wayward shot led Jamshedpur's first goal as Sanju Pradhan's clearance went into the net.
Izu Azuka (5.5/10) - The Nigerian striker did not have the best of the nights as he was kept in control by the well-organized Mumbai defence. He had a couple of shots on goal in the first half but never really managed to trouble the keeper.
Substitutes:
Trindade Goncalves (5/10) - The Brazilian winger who was benched tonight came on after the hour mark. He had a couple of chances but failed to hit the target.
Kervens Belfort (4.5/10) - The Haitian came on in the final twenty minutes when he replaced Izu Azuka in the attack for the away side. It was his effort which was first saved by Amrinder and then converted by Jairu.
Bikash Jairu (6/10) - The Indian winger proved to be the 'Super Sub' on the night as he grabbed the winner for Jamshedpur FC six minutes from full time.