The Delhi Dynamos once again shot to the top of the 2016 Indian Super League after a big 4-1 win at home against defending champions Chennaiyin FC. The hosts established their dominance early on and never let up afterwards as Chennaiyin suffered their first loss in six games. With this win, the Dynamos have now done the double over Chennaiyin this season, having won their first clash in Chennai as well earlier in the campaign.
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Here's a look at how players from both sides fared. (All the ratings are out of 10)
Delhi Dynamos
GK: Antonio Doblas – 6.5
The Spanish custodian didn't have much to do in this game as his team's attack dominated at the other end. He was strong when called upon especially with Chennaiyin looking to put pressure on him physically with their big players.
RB: Souvik Chakraborty – 7
Proved a tough nut to crack down Delhi's right-hand side as neither Dudu nor Baljit Sahni got any joy out of him. Helped in his side's shutting out of Chennaiyin.
CB: Ruben Rocha – 6.5
Like his countryman Doblas in goal, Rocha didn't have many moments of action. He dealt with all of Chennaiyin’s long balls with ease to minimize Davide Succi’s impact on the game.
CB: Anas Edathodika – 7
Was in the wars with Dudu in the first half, getting entangled with the Chennaiyin forward on a few occasions. But he marked the opposition very well and made sure that not many goal-scoring opportunities were presented. Another strong showing for the Kerala man who is likely to be a contender for defender of the tournament.
LB: Chinglensana Konsham – N/A
Unfortunately picked up an injury two minutes into the game and was forced off.
DM: Marcos Tebar – 7
Tebar had a huge role to play in disrupting the Chennaiyin midfield's efforts in advancing the ball. He was especially severe on Raphael Augusto as he was constantly found snapping at his heels.
CM: Milan Singh – 6.5
Another solid showing from the young Indian who has been very consistent right through this tournament. Dominated the middle of the pitch along with Malouda.
CM: Florent Malouda – 9
Malouda had this game on a piece of string the whole night. He sliced the Chennaiyin defence open on numerous occasions with his superb through balls and when he wasn't assisting he was there to score. Two goals (brilliantly taken ones at that) and two assists, including a no-look pass for Lewis’ goal, for the French veteran in one of the tournament's best individual performances thus far this year.
RM: Marcelinho – 6
Not one of the Brazilian’s best games, but it didn't matter much as the rest of the forward line was on fire.
LM: Kean Lewis – 8
He must love playing against this team. Lewis once again was the scourge of the Chennaiyin defence as they had trouble containing him all night long. If Malouda was opening them up through the middle, then Lewis was doing likewise down the flanks. Constantly interchanging with Marcelinho, Lewis had another fine game with a superb goal to add to his overall performance.
FW: Richard Gadze – 7
Once again his energetic running helped pull the opposition defence in all directions opening up space for those behind him to run into. Opened the goal-scoring and harassed the defenders continually till he went off with injury.
Substitutes
LB: Lalchhawnkima – 6.5 [2’]
Coming in for the injured 'Sana barely minutes into the game, it was a good 90 minutes for the youngster who with the rest of his team's back four dealt easily with Chennaiyin’s tepid attacks.
FW: Badara Badji – 6.5 [61’]
Set up Malouda’s second goal and made sure his side lost no tempo in the attacking third with Gadze going off.
CB: Ibrahima Niasse – N/A [87’]
A late sub for Ruben Rocha.
Chennaiyin FC
GK: Karanjit Singh – 6.5
While Chennaiyin did let in four goals (first time Karanjit hasn't kept a clean sheet this season), the keeper wasn't at fault for any of them. A combination of bad defending and very good attacking were responsible for that. In fact, without some good saves, the scoreline could have been worse.
RB: Mehrajuddin Wadoo – 4.5
A terrible game for Chennaiyin’s right-back as the pace of Lewis and Marcelinho once again saw him constantly get caught out and going forward he was even worse. His deliveries into the box didn't clear the first defender even once. What will worry Chennaiyin is that he's had a few of these now in the past few games.
CB: Bernard Mendy – 8
Chennaiyin’s captain had a very good game, nothing to do with the fact that he got their only goal. He performed his primary duty very well, being the best defender on the night. That he was also perhaps their best player going forward was a reflection on how poorly his team's forward line performed. His goal was a brilliant one too, the result of a beautifully timed surge.
CB: Eli Sabia – 5.5
Brazilian Sabia’s consistent solid showings at the back have been a huge plus for Chennaiyin since his introduction into the starting XI, but today he was run ragged by the Dynamos’ offensive assault. His error directly led to Delhi's second of the game.
LB: Jerry Lalrinzuala – 6
Didn't have a shocker unlike Wadoo, but struggled with the feisty Lewis constantly running at him with the ball at his feet. Was pegged back as a result and unable to move forward to help out in attack.
DM: Siam Hanghal – 3.5
If there was one player who had an absolute shocker it was Hanghal. The Manipur man has been rewarded by Marco Materazzi for his consistent showings, but this one was a night to forget. He lost the midfield battle against Delhi's trio of Tebar, Milan Singh and Malouda. And his horrible attempted back pass led to the opener. Was also booked unnecessarily for a petty foul. It was no surprise when he was taken off at halftime.
CM: Hans Mulder – 6
Returning from injury after missing the previous game, the Dutchman looked in good nick early on, but as Delhi began to take control, he found himself swamped. Once they fell 1-3 behind, he ventured further forward in an attempt to get a goal back, but without much luck.
CM: Raphael Augusto – 6
Provided the assist for Mendy’s goal, but his influence was limited by the excellent Tebar and the rest of the Dynamos’ midfield. Him and Mulder couldn't quite cope with their counterparts leading to Delhi bossing the game.
LM: Baljit Sahni – 5
Lots of running, but no end product again. Was deployed on the left initially before switching sides with Dudu, but failed to have any impact on this game. Had one good goalscoring chance, but his left-footed effort went wide of goal. Was taken off in the 59th minute.
RM: Dudu – 4.5
Not his preferred position, but Dudu was shoehorned into this position. Anas and Souvik had him in their pockets the whole match.
FW: Davide Succi – 6.5
The Italian actually looked the most likely to create something for the defending champs. He had a few half-chances in the box and set up perhaps the best chance of the second half for Jeje, which was squandered.
Substitutes
FW: Jeje Lalpekhlua – 5.5 [46’]
The leading Indian goalscorer in the history of the ISL was brought on at halftime to try and change the direction of the match. He had a great chance to pull one back, but fired well over the top from just in front of goal. Didn't have too many other notable opportunities.
LM: Uttam Rai – 4.5 [59’]
Barring a couple of touches, the young lad wasn't able to force the play as much as Materazzi would have expected in what was his debut appearance at the ISL.
CB: John Arne Riise – 3 [83’]
We weren't expecting to see Riise in this game since he was coming back from an injury, but when Materazzi realized his best-attacking player on the night was Mendy and decided to push him upfield, he needed a new centre-back. Riise came in, looked sluggish, and looked lost off a subsequent corner to allow the fourth goal to go in.
