NorthEast United 2-0 Mumbai City FC: 5 Talking Points

NorthEast United moved into the top four places after a solid 2-0 win over Mumbai City FC at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati on Friday evening as an Arias penalty and a late Diomansy Kamara goal settled the game for the Highlanders.It was yet another poor showing from Mumbai City FC who failed to score for a third successive game in the Hero Indian Super League, leaving their campaign in tatters with just three games left to play.Sunil Chhetri and Nicolas Anelka both missed good chances for Mumbai City FC late on before Kamara sealed the win for Cesar Farias’ men. The game had plenty of action to debate on and here are the five talking points from the game.All images in this slideshow are sourced from the ISL.

#1 NEUFC edge ahead in semi-final race

Cesar Farias got his tactics spot on as they dished out a solid performance to beat Mumbai City FC 2-0 at home and move into the semi-final spots at the expense of FC Pune City. Mumbai City FC made a quick start to the game, with Nicolas Anelka’s men looking to erase the painful memeories of the 7-0 defeat in Goa quickly, but NorthEast United kept their shape well and frustrated Mumbai City FC.

The Highlanders struck at the right time when Arias’s penalty gave them the lead just before half time and deflated the Mumbai City side. NorthEast United once again were extremely solid at the back and patiently waited for their chance which came late in the game and Kamara duly obliged to seal the win for John Abraham's team.

The performance will specially please Cesar Farias and will restore NorthEast United’s confidence after their loss against Kerala Blasters. With two more home games to come, NorthEast United will fancy their chances of making it to the semi-finals now.

#2 Mumbai City FC need a miracle

It was a second straight loss for Mumbai City FC in the ISL and more importantly a fifth straight game without a victory. The 2-0 loss was also the third straight game they had failed to score and the cumulative effect of this has left Mumbai City FC on the brink of elimination from this season’s ISL.

Mumbai City FC once again looked short of ideas in the final third despite having the majority of the ball. Nicolas Anelka’s men were too narrow and too laboured in their attacks, allowing NorthEast United to easily break down their attacks in the final third.

Apart from a couple of chances late in the second half, Mumbai City FC didn’t trouble Rehenesh enough to claim anything from the game. Anelka’s side now need a miracle to qualify after finding themselves four points adrift of the play-off places. They would quite possibly need to win all their remaining games to have a chance and a similar performance from any of the teams above them might still see them bow out.

#3 Did Kamara con the referee?

The biggest talking point in the game came just before half time when Rodrigues’ foul on Kamara resulted in the referee pointing to the spot. However replays suggested that Kamara went down far too easily and there was little contact with the defender.

The referee, however, wasn’t in a great position to see that and awarded NorthEast the penalty and eventually the lead in the game. The referee should have been in a better position to fairly judge what looked like a dive from the former Fulham striker.

Mumbai City FC could be forgiven if they felt hard done by, after that call from the referee as they were slightly the better team before that penalty. NorthEast United had posed little threat in the first half and that penalty was a huge blow for Mumbai City FC’s confidence as they went into the break a goal down despite having done little wrong. Had the penalty not been given, we could have seen a different Mumbai City FC in the second half.

#4 Should Mumbai City FC have started with Sony Norde?

Mumbai City FC had Sony Norde back available for the game against NorthEast United and after the thrashing at the hands of FC Goa, it was evident that the game in Guwahati was a must win for the Ranbir Kapoor owned outfit.

Sony Norde has by far been Mumbai City FC’s most creative player this season with three assists and one goal and has always given Mumbai City a cutting edge in attack. Having just returned from International duty with Haiti, Sony Norde might not have been in the best possible condition to play, but with Mumbai City FC’s season facing a make or break situation, it might not have been too wise of the Mumbai City think tank not to risk him.

After being on the bench, Norde was only brought on in the 75th minute and Mumbai City FC’s two best chances came after the Haitian’s introduction. But it was too little too late for Mumbai City FC as the lively Haitian didn’t have enough time to spark a comeback for Mumbai City FC.

#5 Nicolas Anelka\'s struggles on and off the pitch

Nicolas Anelka had a bad game by his standards and was one of the worst players for Mumbai City FC on the night. He often took too long to get the ball out of his feet and slowed down Mumbai City FC’s attacks at times.

Ever since Anelka has been involved in games for Mumbai City FC, they have lacked balance upfront and has also in a way disrupted the potent partnership between Norde, Chhetri and Piquionne. The Frenchman has struggled to blend into his own team and that’s evident from the fact that Mumbai City FC have never won when he has played.

Anelka’s role as a manager too hasn’t been short of problems after he had issues with player Andre Moritz and Assistant Coach Oscar Bruzon, who could have probably helped easing some of his pressure right now. Anelka has also failed to build a strong team character and his team has looked lacking in leadership at times.