ISL: East Bengal's resurgence continues with win at Marina Arena- Talking Points

Chennai: Chennaiyin FC continues to remain winless at the Marina Arena in the Indian Super League (ISL) season 11, with visitors East Bengal securing a 2-0 victory over the hosts, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday.

After a first half of CFC wasting good goal-scoring chances, the main culprit being Daniel Chima, East Bengal punished them by going ahead in the second half and a bit of sloppiness from the Marina Machans cost them another goal, confirming East Bengal of the three points.

East Bengal has moved up two places to 11th, whereas Chennaiyin, after a good start, is going through a rough patch with three successive defeats.

#5: Chennaiyin's lack of efficiency bites them

More often than not, it has been the story of Chennaiyin FC this season, a lack of efficiency in front of goal. And it was exactly what cost them the match today.

They started brightly, creating multiple chances thanks to Connor Shields and Lukas Brambilla. However, the forward line, especially Daniel Chima Chukwe, was unable to convert the chance into a goal.

The striker missed three golden chances to put Chennaiyin ahead but squandered them all, and they were punished by East Bengal in the second half, thanks to goals from Vishnu and Jeakson.

Head coach Owen too talked in length about this issue in the post-match press conference, stating "We had some wonderful chances to get in front. We can't afford to let such opportunities pass by. If you don't take your chances, you're going to be punished."

#4: East Bengal moves from strength to strength

Under Oscar Bruzon, the famed Kolkata club has been brought back to life. Two wins on the trot and two clean sheets for the red & gold brigade.

Things went to plan perfectly for them at the Marina Arena. In the first back, they had men behind the ball and defended deep, and in the second half, they opened up once they got the goal, they played wonderfully, and got a deserved second goal as well, thanks to Jeakson Singh's rocket.

"The idea, in the beginning, was holding them, being compact and attracting them (CFC players) more into our half and then in the last 10-15 mins of the first half, and in the second, look to play forward and create chances. Our players were excellent in holding the shape in our 4-4-2," he said in the post-match press conference.

He was happy with the recent run of results and is optimistic about the days ahead. "I think that we are playing with a clear idea. We are getting a good line of results, but we are still far from the position we want to be in," he asserted.

#3: Crisis, Chennaiyin FC?

Owen Coyle's new army is what the fans termed the current CFC squad, the one they hoped would bring back Chennaiyin's glory days.

And they did have a bright start, sitting in the top six before all hell broke loose.

Three games. Three defeats. Zero goals scored. Chennaiyin is now sitting at ninth place in the ISL table after 11 games, with just 12 points.

"I think any criticism that comes it is on me first and foremost. I think it's merited. We started last year with three losses on the trot and came back. That is what we will try to do this time as well," Owen said, talking about his team's recent struggles.

#2: Jeakson's goal, a thing of beauty

Jeakson Singh came on as a sub when the score was 1-0 in favor of East Bengal and he capitalized on a chance created from a turnover of possession, getting on the loose ball at the edge of the box and creamed his shot into the side netting.

It was a very important goal as CFC have known to score late and that goal deflated any hopes of a comeback for the Marina Machans, sealing the three points for EBFC.

Watch the goal here:

#1: What next for both teams?

Chennaiyin FC will face Hyderabad FC at the Marina Arena in three days on 11th December, hoping to get their first home win of the season.

Meanwhile, East Bengal will be back at the Salt Lake Stadium for their next game against Odisha FC on 12th December.