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Bengaluru FC gained bragging rights over their arch-rivals Kerala Blasters with a commanding 3-1 win at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in the ISL. The game witnessed a dramatic finish as second-half stoppage time produced three goals when Bengaluru put the result beyond any doubt while Kerala managed a consolation with the last kick of the ball.
Sunil Chhetri gave the visitors the lead from the spot right at the hour mark when Bengaluru were awarded a penalty after Sandesh Jhingan handled the ball inside the penalty area. Miku added two goals in the dying moments of the game while Courage Pekuson pulled a goal back for the hosts to cap off the first derby between the sides in emphatic fashion.
Without further delay, let's take a look at how the players from both sides fared during the match:
Kerala Blasters FC
Subhasish Roy - 6/10
The shot-stopper came in for Paul Rachubka and did a good job to prevent Bengaluru FC from grabbing a goal or two in the first half. Roy could do very little to try and stop Sunil Chhetri from the spot and had to come off due to cramps in the second half.
Samuel Shadap - 6/10
The right-back did a decent job against one of the league's most destructive sides in the form of the visitors. Shadap could not offer a lot while going forward but kept his discipline and showed awareness at the back.
Sandesh Jhingan - 5/10
Probably one of those days for Jhingan who conceded the penalty that gave Bengaluru FC the three points. The Kerala Blasters skipper will be looking to bounce back from this disappointment.
Nemanja Lakic-Pesic - 5/10
The Serbian was not his usual self and picked up a booking in the second half which now means that he will miss their next game against FC Pune City. Lakic-Pesic was kept on his toes by the Bengaluru forwards.
Lalruatthara - 6/10
The young left-back did well when he was assigned the herculean task of keeping up with the electrifying Udanta on the flanks. Lalruatthara is definitely a find for the Blasters and it is easy to understand why he plays every game.
Wes Brown - 5/10
The former Manchester United man was a passenger in the game and was completely steamrolled by Dimas Delgado and Erik Paartalu down the middle of the park. Brown would have enjoyed a little more involvement on the ball and failed to track the Bengaluru attackers.
Siam Hanghal - 5/10
Hanghal did not enjoy his involvement for the majority of the game and failed to provide any balance for the hosts through the middle of the park. The midfielder failed to keep hold of possession and gave the ball away too easily in a few instances.
Jackichand Singh - 5/10
The winger failed to cause any kind of impact inside the opponent's half and was let down on a few occasions by his decision making. Jackichand's delivery into the area has been mediocre in recent weeks and there is a lot of room for improvement in the same.
Courage Pekuson - 6/10
The Ghanaian was his usual self of tireless running and trying to make things happen inside the final third. However, he enjoyed very little success and had to wait until the dying minutes to get the goal he deserved.
Iain Hume - 5/10
The leading scorer in ISL history has been a shadow of his former self ever since signing for Kerala Blasters in the beginning of the season and he failed to turn his fortunes around, yet again. Hume lacked the cutting edge that he was infamous for during his first stint with the club.
Mark Sifneos - 5/10
The Dutchman was far from convincing on the night and was let down by his finishing on a few occasions as well. Sifneos failed to cause any problems whatsoever to the Bengaluru defenders.
Substitutes
Paul Rachubka - 4/10
Rachubka replaced the injured Subhasish Roy in the 75th minute and could not prevent Miku from adding a couple of goals towards the end of the game.
Loken Meitei - 4/10
Meitei replaced Sifneos in the 76th minute and could not offer anything different to his side as they capped off a disappointing night.
Milan Singh - N/A
Came on in the 76th minute to replace Siam Hanghal.
Bengaluru FC
Gurpreet Singh - 6/10
The Bengaluru custodian was largely untroubled for the majority of the game as the hosts failed to pose him any real challenge on the night. Gurpreet will be gutted to have conceded a goal towards the end of the game.
Rahul Bheke - 6/10
The former Kerala Blasters man enjoyed a good outing against his old club and did well to stand tall against the likes Sifneos and Hume. Bheke's awareness and positioning helped Bengaluru maintain their shape at the back.
Juanan - 7/10
Juanan was a commanding presence at the back for Bengaluru yet again and relished the challenge of sticking his foot out as well as playing the odd long ball forward. The defender did well to keep his calm after picking up a booking early on.
Subhasish Bose - 6/10
The full-back was not troubled by the threat posed by Jackichand on the flanks and kept his cool to come out on top during various encounters. Bose complimented his teammates well on the pitch and ensured that Bengaluru came out on top at the end.
Harmanjot Khabra - 6/10
Khabra did not enjoy the best of outputs while going forward but he was solid at the back and gave the Kerala wingers a real run for their money on the night.
Edu Garcia - 7/10
The midfielder was neat in possession and showed his quality while going forward with the ball. Garcia enjoyed distributing the ball effectively inside Kerala's half and did not let the nerves get to him for one bit.
Erik Paartalu - 7/10
The Australian acted as the perfect shield for the Bengaluru defenders and was often their link between attack and defence. Paartalu was a constant threat from set-pieces and did well to outplay Wes Brown and Hanghal down the middle.
Dimas Delgado - 7/10
Delgado enjoyed his involvement through the middle and created a lot of space for himself and his teammates as Bengaluru started taking control of the game. The midfielder covered a lot of ground and did well to maintain the balance in midfield for the visitors.
Sunil Chhetri - 8/10
The Indian skipper was awarded Hero of the Match and was a constant threat for the Kerala defenders throughout the game before being taken off in the dying minutes. Chhetri showed nerves of steel to convert the penalty from the spot under immense pressure.
Miku - 9/10
The Venezuelan added the killer blow in the dying moments of the game when he capitalised on the tiring legs of the Kerala defenders by netting a brace. Miku showed all the qualities of a prolific striker and came up with two clinical finishes to put the result beyond any doubt.
Udanta Singh - 6/10
The winger has definitely had better games in a BFC shirt and could not impose his authority on the game. However, he worked tirelessly on the flanks and is perhaps still recovering from that ankle problem.
Substitutes
Lenny Rodrigues - 5/10
The midfielder came on in the 70th minute to replace Udanta and provided the extra legs in midfield for Bengaluru to see the game out.
Alwyn George - N/A
Came on in the 87th minute to replace Sunil Chhetri.
