ISL 2019-20: Chennaiyin FC 2-0 NorthEast United FC | 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis

#5 Chennaiyin find the perfect midfield balance

Anirudh Thapa had a big influence on proceedings (Pic: ISL)

Chennaiyin were forced to make a change in midfield, with Germanpreet Singh suspended, but in the end, as a result of that, they might have stumbled on to a combination that is perfect to the way they play.

Edwin Sydney Vanspaul came into midfield to partner Anirudh Thapa and the two Indians together pulled the strings brilliantly, with terrific guile and accurate passing.

Edwin seemed to also bring the best out of Thapa, who has sometimes looked overawed when he has had the likes of Germanpreet or Dhanpal Ganesh alongside him in the middle of the park.

Edwin had a great game himself, with a number of critical tackles and interceptions to cut off Gallego's influence on the game. His passing and distance shooting abilities were also on display as he put in a complete performance.

That seemed to take the shackles off Thapa too as he seemed to play in a more advanced starting position than he has since the start of last season.

The Indian international should have had a goal with a free header, in the second half, but "should have scored" is a phrase we could use for perhaps each of the hosts' midfielders and attackers tonight.