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Match 75 of the Indian Super League saw NorthEast United FC host last year's finalists Kerala Blasters at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Assam.
The two sides have had a contrasting run of fortune in this season as the Highlanders have struggled this year and lie in the bottom half of the table in the ninth position with 11 points from their fifteen matches. Kerala Blasters FC, on the other hand, is in the fifth position with 21 points from the same number of matches and have a shot at making the playoffs.
Kerala came out 1-0 winners away from home as they kept their playoff hopes alive in the tournament. Wes Brown scored his first goal in the first half of the match, when he headed in a corner from Jackichand Singh.
NorthEast United FC
TP Rehenesh (6/10) - The NorthEast United keeper was a stable presence between the sticks as he kept out the efforts from Kerala. He was beaten from a corner when Wes Brown headed past him but did well for most of the match.
Gursimrat Singh (5/10) - The left-back was given a start by Avram Grant and did well in the defence as he was up against the pacey Jackichand Singh on his flank. He was not involved in the attacks much as he mostly resorted to his defensive duties.
Nirmal Chhetri (5.5/10) - The defender played centrally in a different position from his usual right-back spot alongside Martin Diaz. He had a tough day marking Gudjon Baldvinsson, who looked threatening but did well.
Reagan Singh (6/10) - The right-back was highly active on his flank as he made a lot of overlapping runs and put good crosses into the box. He did well defensively as well, keeping the threat of Prasanth K in check
Martin Diaz (5.5/10) - The Uruguayan played in central defence and was a tough tackler as he dealt with the threat of the dynamic CK Vineeth.
Robert Lalthlamuana (5/10) - The NorthEast skipper played a defensive role on the left, stemming the flow of the Kerala attacks from the right flank.
Rowllin Borges (6/10) - The lanky midfielder was the pivot man between the midfield and defence for the home side. He played the first line of defence and distributed the ball well from the centre. However, he did not have much impact on the game other than that.
Lalrempuia Fanai (6/10) - The midfielder played on the right side as he kept looking for overlapping runs from the fullback and the strikers ahead of him. He did well to keep the attack going for the home side and even took corners.
Lalrindika Ralte (6/10) - The former ATK man played a little deeper role in midfield as he moved the ball well with his famed left foot. He had a couple of good efforts on the goal and was the designated setpiece taker for the home side.
Danilo Lopes (5.5/10) - The NorthEast United FC striker was the main man up ahead with a lot of efforts on the goal but did not trouble Paul Rachubka in the first half. He was substituted at the end of the first half as John Jairo replaced him in the attack.
Maic Sema (6.5/10) - The Swiss striker played just behind Danilo and moved across the attack and kept looking for good passes in attack. He was a threat in the setpiece situations for the home side.
Substitutes:
John Jairo (5.5/10) - The hulking striker came on at the start of the second half replacing Danilo Cezario in the attack. He was a threat in the attack with his physical presence and gave the Kerala defenders a tough time.
Seminlen Doungel (N/A) - The midfielder came on for the final ten minutes as Grant put him on in search of the equalizing goal.
Halicharan Narzary (N/A) - The other change made ten minutes from time by Grant as NorthEast made changes looking for the elusive equalizer.
Kerala Blasters FC
Paul Rachubka (5.5/10) - The Kerala keeper had a confident night between the sticks. He was beaten on a couple of occasions when NorthEast hit the post.
Rino Anto (6/10) - The right-back was active on his flank as he made overlapping runs and combined well with Jackichand Singh whenever he attacked. He did well to nullify the threat of NorthEast attacks from the left flank with good defensive stability.
Sandesh Jhingan (6/10) - The Indian International made a return to the lineup after serving his suspension and was a strong presence in the Kerala defence. He won a lot of headers and made crucial interceptions in the central defence and played a good partner to West Brown.
Wes Brown (/10) - The former Manchester United man was a calming presence in the Kerala defence with good ball handling and made good tackles. He scored his first goal in the ISL when he rose the highest to head past Rehenesh in the first half.
Arata Izumi (6/10) - The midfielder played alongside Pulga in a slightly deep role in the Kerala lineup. He did well to move around and broke up a lot of NorthEast plays with his tackling.
Victor Pulga (5.5/10) - The Spaniard, who is popularly known as 'Pulga', made his first start of the ISL season. He played along with Arata in the midfield as he was the sweeper for the away side and played between the midfield and defence.
Courage Pekuson (6/10) - The Ghanian midfielder was the driving force in the Kerala midfield with his industrious play as he went for all the balls. He had a couple of long-range efforts on goal as well.
Jackichand Singh (6.5/10) - The winger for the away side was threatening on the right flank with his crossing and pace, keeping Gursimrat Singh busy on the flank. He put in the corner that was headed in by Wes Brown for the first half goal.
Prasanth K (6/10) - The Kerala youngster began the game as a winger, but was later moved to the left-back by David James. He displayed great versatility as he adjusted well to the new role and looked threatening whenever Kerala attacked from the left flank.
Gudjon Baldvinsson (6/10) - The Icelandic striker was the lone man up front for the visitors and he did well with his movement. He had a lot of efforts on the goal but wasn't effective in his shooting.
CK Vineeth (6/10) - The former Bengaluru FC man played behind Baldvinsson and did well to keep the NorthEast defence on their toes.
Substitutes:
Milan Singh (4.5/10) - The defensive midfielder came on to replace Arata in the midfield as James introduced fresh legs to keep hold of the solitary goal lead.
Dimitar Berbatov (4/10) - The Bulgarian striker came on to replace Pulga in the central midfield and did well to find the runs of Baldvinsson ahead of him.
Karan Sawhney (N/A) - The striker came on in the dying seconds of the match as Kerala closed out the time.
