Football
ISL: Mohun Bagan edge past Chennaiyin FC - Talking points
With this win over Chennaiyin FC, Mohun Bagan reclaimed the top spot on the points table.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant registered a 1-0 win against Chennaiyin FC at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata in the Indian Super League 2024-25 encounter on Saturday.
With this win, Mohun Bagan reclaimed the top spot on the points table.
Here are key talking points:
Coyle calls back Laldinpuia
Head coach Owen Coyle made key changes, recalling PC Laldinpuia to the starting XI after his one-game suspension. Laldinpuia slotted in at right-back, while Connor Shields also made his return to the team, fully recovered from the illness that had kept him out of the previous match.
Spirited show by Chennaiyin
The duo of Lalrinliana Hnamte and Ryan Edwards produced impressive goal-scoring opportunities in the 25th and 30th minutes of the game respectively. After an industrious passage of play, Hnamte took things upon him to try his luck from distance but fell short since his effort was blocked by a well-organised Mariners’ backline. Five minutes later, Edwards attempted a vicious header from the centre of the box through a delivery by Pachuau Laldinpuia.
The latter had shown impeccable awareness to send a headed pass in Edwards’ path, but the defender’s effort was kept at bay.
Chennaiyin started brightly, with Shields central to the team’s offensive play. The playmaker delivered a dangerous cross into the box in the 12th minute and later caused trouble in the Mohun Bagan penalty area with a well-placed set-piece.
Nawaz keeps Mohun Bagan at bay
The second half saw Chennaiyin pick up where they left off, pinning the hosts inside their half while remaining alert defensively. Mohammad Nawaz was called into action again just six minutes after the restart, positioning himself perfectly to stop a long-range shot from Alberto Rodriguez.
Jason Cummings breaks the deadlock
As the game opened up, Nawaz continued to thwart Chennaiyin’s attacking efforts, with another crucial stop from a ranged shot. Moments later, Irfan Yadwad came agonisingly close to scoring with a brilliant long-range curler, only to be denied by the keeper. Nawaz made another important save in the 83rd minute, but the resilient Chennaiyin defence was finally broken in the 86th minute when Jason Cummings found the top corner.