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There was drama of the highest order when Chennaiyin FC went up against Kerala Blasters in the southern derby at the Marina Arena in Chennai in the ISL. The game was a cagey affair for the majority of the ninety minutes but the last few minutes proved to be dramatic and unforgettable as it ended 1-1 on the night.
Chennaiyin went ahead in the 89th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Sandhesh Jhingan allegedly handled the ball inside his penalty area. However, replay suggested that the ball hit him under the armpit. Mihelic converted from the spot but that was not the end of it as local boy CK Vineeth scored a stoppage time winner to rescue a point for the visitors and sent the travelling 'Manjappada' fans into a delirium of noise.
The result meant that Chennaiyin went ahead of FC Goa, who have played 2 games lesser, at the top of the table with 13 points while Kerala are languishing at 7th place with 7 points from their 6 games. Here we take a look at how players from both sides fared during the thrilling finish in Chennai:
Chennaiyin FC
Karanjit Singh - 7/10
The Chennaiyin shot-stopper did well on the night and made a few excellent saves when he was called into action by the Kerala attackers. Karanjit was named Hero of the match despite conceding an equalizer in the dying minutes.
Inigo Calderon - 6/10
Calderon started the game in solid fashion and contributed defensively as well as while going forward. The defender continues to establish a strong partnership at the back alongside his teammates but was completely caught out when Kerala scored the equalizer in stoppage time.
Mailson Alves - 6/10
It seemed as if Alves was heading for yet another clean-sheet to cap off a commanding performance at the back but CK Vineeth and Kerala had other plans, much to the disappointment of the player who could do nothing to prevent the goal.
Henrique Sereno - 7/10
The Chennaiyin skipper continued his impressive form for the Super Machans and managed to safeguard his team's goal for the majority of the game. Sereno's awareness and ability to read the game is unmatched in the league and he would be disappointed to have conceded a goal right at the end.
Jerry Lalrinzuala - 6/10
Despite being very young, Jerry showed great awareness for his age and managed to keep Jackichand Singh at bay throughout the game. The young left-back is a bright prospect for India but his lack of experience was evident when Kerala found the back of the net following a breakthrough from his flank.
Bikramjit Singh - 6/10
The midfielder completed his duties with great responsibilty and managed to disrupt the rhythm of the game on a few occasions. Bikramjit was comfortable in keeping the ball and also operated effectively around his teammates.
Raphael Augusto - 6/10
Not the best of games for Augusto who came up against a sturdy Wes Brown in midfield. The Brazilian is still recovering from that ankle problem he suffered against Bengaluru FC and he could not complete the full ninety minutes for his side.
Francisco Fernandes - 6/10
Fernandes is currently enjoying a decent run of form in the Chennaiyin side but he was not at his influential best on the night. The winger lacked quality inside the opposition's final third and would be keen to improve on the same.
Anirudh Thapa - 7/10
The 19-year-old impressed in midfield after stepping in for the suspended Dhanpal Ganesh on the night. Thapa made a few daring runs inside Kerala's half and displayed the diversity of his skill set that includes incisive passing and excellent close control.
Jude Nworuh - 5/10
The winger could not provide the cutting edge for Chennaiyin FC in the opposition's half but worked tirelessly down the channel in what was a cagey affair. Jude came up against a resolute Kerala defence and failed to make a mark.
Jeje Lalpekhlua - 5/10
Jeje was left out on his own in the mammoth task of trying to go toe to toe against the Kerala defenders. The striker's diminutive physical presence made it easier for Sandhesh Jhingan and Lakic-Pesic to dominate him throughout the game.
Substitutes
Gregory Nelson - 5/10
The Dutchman forced Paul Rachubka into making a challenging save shortly after coming on in the 75th minute. However, he was given too little time to make a lasting impact on the game.
Rene Mihelic - 6/10
The midfielder showed nerves of steel to convert the penalty awarded to the hosts in the 89th minute, just over 10 minutes after replacing Raphael Augusto.
Germanpreet Singh - N/A
Came on in the 85th minute to replace Anirudh Thapa.
Kerala Blasters
Paul Rachubka - 6/10
Rachubka made a few good saves on the night and showed excellent positioning and command of his 18-yard box. Kerala were unlucky to concede that penalty and Rachubka could do nothing to prevent Chennaiyin from scoring.
Rino Anto - 5/10
A disappointing day for the local boy who had to come off in the first half due to a hamstring problem. Rino will be hoping that it isn't anything serious.
Sandhesh Jhingan - 8/10
Jhingan was excellent in the air and showed great composure throughout the night. The defender was unlucky to concede the penalty after the replay showed that the ball hit him under the armpit. However, he made amends by surging forward and providing the assist for Vineeth's equalizer at the other end.
Nemanja Lakic-Pesic - 6/10
The Serbian also enjoyed a fairly decent game and was hardly troubled by the Chennaiyin attackers who found his physical presence to be too much on the night.
Lalruatthara - 7/10
The young full-back did really well to keep Jude very quiet throughout the game and completed his defensive duties with diligence. The defender is rightfully earning the plaudits for his impressive performances.
Siam Hanghal - 6/10
Hanghal was assigned with the tough task of keeping up with a vibrant Anirudh Thapa and a powerhouse in the form of Augusto. The midfielder did not make a lot of mistakes but he was made to work hard for the result.
Wes Brown - 7/10
The former Manchester United man was not at his influential best from midfield but he did extremely well when he was pitted against Augusto. Brown kept the ball cleanly and distributed the ball patiently and effectively.
Jackichand Singh - 5/10
Jacki would be disappointed with his miss in the first half after he had just the goal-keeper to beat during the chance. The winger failed to make any mark in the game whatsover and was rightfully taken off in the second half.
Courage Pekuson - 6/10
The Ghanian covered a lot of the ground and forced Karanjit into making his first save in the second half with a brilliant strike from outside the area. Pekuson's end product is still a worrying factor for his team and he will be hoping to improve on the same.
CK Vineeth - 8/10
Kerala's hitman was at the right place at the right time to rescue a point for the visitors on the night and continued his goal-scoring form from their last game. Apart from scoring the equalizer, Vineeth did his best to keep the Chennaiyin defenders on their toes and showed impressive workkrate.
Mark Sifneos - 6/10
The Dutchman was pitted against one of the league's best defenders in the form of Sereno and was allowed very little freedom infront of goal as expected. Sifneos did his best to hold the ball up and bring his teammates into the game.
Substitutes
Samuel Shadap - 6/10
The right-back did well after coming on for the injured Rino Anto but he offered very little going forward and was focused on staying in his own half.
Loken Meitei - 5/10
Meitei replaced Jackichand Singh in the 77th minute and could not offer anything more to the side.
Iain Hume - N/A
Came on in the 90th minute for Wes Brown.
