Chennaiyin FC 0-0 Kerala Blasters: Player Ratings as Albino Gomes saves penalty to give Blasters a point | ISL 2020-21

Chennaiyin FC drew 0-0 with Kerala Blasters at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim, Goa, in an entertaining match.

Chennaiyin FC started the game on fire and had plenty of chances to score the opener, but their finishing was not at the level it needed to be. Isma, Rafael Crivellaro, and Anirudh Thapa squandered chances in the first half.

Kerala Blasters should have taken the lead midway through the first half when Seityasen Singh's cross found Nongdamba Naorem unmarked at the back-post, but the youngster couldn't make contact with the ball.

The second half was a lot tighter than the first, with clear-cut chances at a premium. Chennaiyin had a big chance to win the game in the 75th minute when Rafael Crivellaro was brought down by Sergio Cidoncha inside the box, and a penalty was awarded. But Jakub Sylvestr's spot-kick was well saved by Albino Gomes.

In the end, Chennaiyin FC joined Hyderabad FC and NorthEast United on four points, while Kerala Blasters are yet to win their first three games under head coach Kibu Vicuna.

Here's how each player fared for both teams in this game.

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Chennaiyin FC Player Ratings

Vishal Kaith - 6/10

The only time he was really called on in this game was to prevent Rohit Kumar's venomous strike from distance from going in, and he did his job.

Reagan Singh - 7/10

He was excellent for most of the game. Reagan was instrumental in Chennaiyin winning the penalty, as he went on a darting run down the flank, before finding Crivellaro in the box.

Eli Sabia - 6/10

He was very strong in the aerial duels against Gary Hooper and didn't allow the Englishman space or time to make anything happen.

Enes Sipovic - 7/10

Sipovic had an excellent game at the back for Chennaiyin FC. Kerala Blasters did get into decent positions down the Chennaiyin left flank. Sipovic did really well to front up to the attackers, and snuff out the danger.

Lalchhuanmawia Fanai - 5/10

Fanai had to be substituted before half-time with an injury. Until then, he had a couple of good moments, when he released Chhangte down the flank.

Deepak Tangri - 7/10

Tangri was excellent at the base of the Chennaiyin midfield tonight. He snuffed out the threat of Facundo Pereyra by not giving the Argentine any space to pick his passes.

Anirudh Thapa - 5/10

Thapa didn't have a great game for Chennaiyin. He got into several encouraging positions, but his end-product was poor, with his technique letting him down on a few crucial moments.

Rafael Crivellaro once again pulled the strings in midfield

Rafael Crivellaro - 6/10

At the end of the first half, he took a couple of bizarre set-pieces. But that aside, he was once again superb in creating openings for his side. He also won the penalty, which Sylvestr missed.

Lallianzuala Chhangte - 7/10

Chhangte was one of Chennaiyin's most important attacking outlets throughout the game, with his pace troubling Nishu Kumar.

Isma - 6/10

Isma wasn't as influential in this game as he was in the last game against Jamshedpur. He did well to put Albino under pressure in the first half, and almost forced two mistakes out of the keeper.

Jakub Sylvestr - 4/10

He was poor. Even apart from the missed penalty, he didn't offer much in terms of his hold-up or link-up play.

Substitutes

Jerry Lalrinzuala - 6/10

He had to be alert in dealing with the threat presented by Rahul in the second half, which he did. He should now be ready to start in future games, with Fanai injured.

Fatkhullo Fatkhulloev - 6/10

He stung Albino's palms with a great free-kick in the second half, after coming on to replace Isma.

Memo - N/A

Memo came on with too little time left to make any impact.

Germanpreet Singh - N/A

Germanpreet came on at the same time as Memo

Kerala Blasters Player Ratings

Nongdama Naorem was bright in attack for Kerala Blasters

Albino Gomes - 8/10

He nearly gifted Chennaiyin two goals in the first half, with uncertain play when the ball was at his feet. The ball go stuck under his feet twice after his first touch, which put him under pressure. In the end, though, he was the hero with the penalty save.

Nishu Kumar - 5/10

This was a very average performance from Nishu. He didn't move forward as often as we are used to seeing him, and he struggled against Chhangte's pace. In addition, Nishu's passing was also dire.

Bakary Kone - 7/10

Kone was outstanding at the heart of the Blasters defence. He slid in to make several crucial interventions to preserve the Blasters' clean sheet.

Costa Nhamoinesu - 6/10

He looked a touch edgy in this game. Some of his passing was poor, and put his teammates under pressure.

Denechandra Meitei - 7/10

In his ISL debut, this was a superb performance from the youngster, who was able to match Isma stride-for-stride until he had to be taken off with an injury.

Rohit Kumar - 6/10

This was a quiet but effective performance from Rohit, and he also had a chance when his long shot was well saved by Kaith.

Sergio Cidoncha - 6/10

Cido was a lot less influential in this game, due to playing a deeper midfield role. He has Albino to thank because it was his daft challenge on Crivellaro that gave Chennaiyin the penalty.

Facundo Pereyra - 5/10

Becuase Tangri didn't give him space down the middle, Pereyra had to drift wide to create space for himself. He didn't fashion too many opportunities for his side, nor were his set-pieces effective.

Seityasen Singh - 5/10

Seityasen was taken off at half-time, but had only one impactful moment in the whole first half, when his cross was not turned in by Naorem.

Nongdamba Naorem - 6/10

The young man was mostly very good in this game. But at the crucial moment, his composure and technique let him down, as he couldn't divert the ball into the net.

Gary Hooper - 4/10

He was poor, found himself isolated, and really didn't link well with the rest of the attackers.

Substitutes

Rahul KP - 6/10

He showed glimpses of the threat he brings with his pace, but couldn't really consistently threaten.

Jessel Carneiro - 5/10

Jessel didn't get forward enough, which ensured that his crossing wasn't even a factor in the game.

Prasanth Karuthadathkuni - 5/10

After replacing Naorem, he hardly managed to hold on to the ball on the right flank.

Jeakson Singh - N/A

He came on very late in the game to replace Rohit.

Jordan Murray - N/A

He replaced Hooper in the 84th minute of the game.