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FC Goa and Kerala Blasters were part of a thoroughly enjoyable seven-goal thriller in Saturday's only ISL 2017 match-up.
The Gaurs eventually won the game 5-2 and registered their third win in four games as a result.
Here are the major talking points from tonight's unbelievably delightful match!
#1 Dimitar Berbatov limps off inside the first five minutes
Just when you thought Kerala's star man was beginning to find his feet in the Indian Super League, Dimitar Berbatov's appearance against FC Goa came to an abrupt halt. After a disappointing couple of games, the Bulgarian finally came to life against Mumbai City FC.
He operated as a deep-lying playmaker and tonight once again, Berbatov started the match just ahead of the back four. Expectations were sky high but Kerala's fans were in for a rude shock when he limped off the pitch after just three minutes of football had been played.
He seemed to have pulled his hamstring and his reaction did not paint a pretty picture at all. The Blasters will be hoping he isn't out of action for too long. They need him and his services, he could prove to be a vital creative outlet.
#2 Laxmikant Kattimani's horror show continues
There's no other way to put it. FC Goa's keeper and captain, Laxmikant Kattimani has been absolutely awful this season. Time after time, he's let his team down, committing schoolboy errors.
Tonight was no different. Mark Sifneos' weak effort should have been easily parried away by Kattimani. However, Goa's captain failed to keep his composure and let the ball slip between his fingers before the ball strolled into the back of the net. Jackichand scored Kerala's second, slipping the ball between Kattimani's legs. No professional footballer likes being nutmegged.
Tonight, he added another to his long list of howlers. Something has to change and change fast for FC Goa. Kattimani was on edge and looked uncomfortable all night long.
#3 Paul Rachubka tries his best to top Kattimani's awful performance
Kerala keeper Paul Rachubka would have had a great view of Kattimani's howler which gave his side an early lead. His counterpart's mistake seemed to have had an impact on him as well.
Less than two minutes after the Blasters took the lead, Goa equalised through Lanzarote's whose volley was well timed but should have easily been saved by Rachubka on his near post. He was too slow to react.
He was also responsible for Goa's second, as he needlessly put his defenders under pressure. Coro made the most of it and assisted Lanzarote for his second who had to simply slot it past a hapless Rachubka.
#4 Entertainment guaranteed whenever FC Goa play
Sergio Lobera openly admitted at the start of the season that he'd rather win 3-2 than draw 0-0. His positive approach may have naysayers but it surely results in some thoroughly entertaining football.
Their four games have produced 22 goals (scored 13 and conceded 9) at an average of more than five goals per match. FC Goa always ensure they play their part in giving the spectators their money's worth.
Up against Kerala tonight, four goals (two each) were scored inside the opening thirty minutes of the match. Seven in total. Some would say, entertainment came at the price of poor quality football. Nothing about some of those finishes were poor. One thing is for sure, none of the vociferous fans in the stadium tonight were complaining. The ISL has a team who love to play beautiful football, a refreshing deviation from the tactical, at times negative approach that most teams adopt.
#5 What did Stephen Constantine make of tonight's proceedings?
India's national team coach, Stephen Constantine was seen in attendance for today's enjoyable but amusing match. The Englishman is renowned to give debuts to promising players and has regularly done so for more than two years now.
Tonight, more than a dozen Indian footballers were on the field. However, most of them disappointed rather than impress. His star centre-back, Sandesh Jhingan was all over the place and guilty of gifting Goa's Cora, a hattrick within the space of seven minutes. The Spaniard ran right through the middle to score two of his goals and Jhingan was caught ball-watching on both occasions.
The likes of Mandar Rao, Rino Anto, Brandon Fernandes didn't do much wrong tonight. But they also didn't do much right. They hardly made their presence felt and failed to positively influence the match.
Tonight belonged to the international players except for Jackichand Singh who did well to get on the score sheet for Kerala. In fact, he was the only Indian who scored in tonight's seven-goal thriller.
