ISL 2017: Jamshedpur FC vs Mumbai City FC, Talking Points

Jamshedpur FC and Mumbai City FC played some exciting, open-ended football during Friday's crunch ISL encounter. The enthralling match eventually ended 2-2. Mumbai were definitely the happier side after tonight's result. Here are the major talking points from tonight.

#1 Jamshedpur denied clear-cut penalty by referee

It was an extremely lively start to the game. Jamshedpur were in desperate need of a win after having endured a disappointing few weeks. They began the game at full throttle and should have been awarded a penalty inside the first 90 seconds of the game.

Jerry found himself with acres of space down the right and rapidly ran with the ball for a good 40 meters before he was cynically brought down in the box by Mumbai's dependable center-back, Lucian Goian.

The defender made no contact with the ball as Jerry tumbled over. However much to the shock of Jamshedpur coach, Steve Coppell, the referee decided to continue with proceedings and seemed reluctant to make such a big decision inside the opening seconds.

#2 Both sides adopt unusually attacking approach

Both sides played attacking football. (Photo: ISL)

This was a matchup between two teams with the best defensive record in the Indian Super League. Prior to tonight, Jamshedpur had conceded just two goals in seven outings. Their opponents, Mumbai had let in seven in eight games, the second-best defense in the league.

Understandably, one assumed this would be a cagey, tactical battle. However what ensued was completely the opposite. The home side were intent on securing all three points and took the game to Mumbai from minute one.

With the visitors shrugging of wave after wave of attacks, Mumbai had no option but to go on the offensive themselves. Attack is the best form of defense for a reason. It made for a mouth-watering first half, during which both teams regularly traded some hard hitting punches and played free-flowing football.

#3 Thiago Santos scores a stunner to silence Jamshedpur

Thiago Santos scored an absolute stunner. (Photo: ISL)

One sensed this was coming. Slowly but steadily Mumbai were finding their footing while Jamshedpur continued to commit numbers in attack. Their usually conservative full backs, Souvik Chakrabarti and Shouvik Ghosh attempted to flood the midfield.

However, Mumbai showed why they are one of the most mature sides in the ISL. Despite Jamshedpur's dominant opening minutes, the visitors did not panic one but. Just when the home side looked like scoring, Thiago Santos silenced them with a stunning solo effort to give Mumbai a crucial lead.

The Brazilian found himself surrounded by an army of defenders just outside the box. Before the opposition could come to terms with the situation, he sneakily dribbled past a couple of Jamshedpur players and splendidly caressed his shot into the top right corner.

#4 Belfort inefficient but Jamshedpur persistent

Kervens Belfort was not as effective as expected. (Photo: ISL)

We can't remember how many chances, Jamshedpur's forward, Kervens Belfort failed to take. Time after time, he fluffed them much to the dismay of his teammates. At one point, it seemed like the ball would just not go in.

But the home side was persistent. They refused to throw in the towel, they couldn't afford to. Jamshedpur were eventually rewarded for their relentless determination. When it rains it pours. After failing to bury a handful of opportunities, Izu Azuka scored a well-taken brace in the 43rd and 45th minute to give his side what seemed an elusive lead.

The Nigerian forward was always around and inside the box, hoping to get a sniff at goal. When he did, he was super efficient, putting away both his chances with confidence. Both goals came courtesy some fine wing play from Jerry down the right wing.

#5 Mumbai hold on for vital point

Mumbai will be the happier side after the draw. (Photo: ISL)

At the end of 90 minutes and a couple more, Jamshedpur's players would be wondering what more could they have done to secure the win. If the first half was exciting, the second was equally enthralling as the home side continued to launch wave after wave of attack despite being in the lead.

But once again, Mumbai rose from the dead to equalize courtesy another fine finish from Thiago Santos. Having scored just two goals in seven games prior to tonight, Steve Coppell's men scored two more in two minutes, thus putting all doubts about their attacking ability to rest.

Alexandre Guimarães is known to get the best out of his players. Mumbai's manager would have had to dig deep at halftime to ensure his side didn't succumb to the constant pressure. The visitors will happily leave Jamshedpur with a draw given the circumstances.