ISL 2018-19, Kerala Blasters vs NorthEast United: 5 Talking Points - Calamitous return to Kerala for Gurwinder Singh and more 

#3 North East United hamstrung by early detriment

North East United were forced to sit back and absorb pressure (Photo: ISL)

The Highlanders had already booked their place in the playoff stages of the Indian Super League season and travelled south with the intention of carrying out a formality by contesting in a 'dead rubber' clash.

And the visitors rested their top-scorer Bartholomew Ogbeche, who remained on the bench as an unused substitute. However, they started positively in an early spell that saw both teams trade blows to each other with end-to-end attempts on goal.

Despite their bright start, the visitors were hamstrung in the 23rd minute, when Gurwinder Singh was given the marching orders in a decision that forced them to tweak their approach.

Eelco Schattorie's men were happy to let Kerala enjoy the lion's share of possession as they were forced to sit back and absorb the pressure exerted by the hosts.

And credit to them for doing it so effectively and grinding out a point, but it meant they offered nothing while going forward.

The likes of Federico Gallego, who was forced to drop deep into his own half, and Juan Mascia were severely restricted from having a go at the final third of the pitch, where they are often quite influential and essential to the system.