NorthEast United FC beat Hyderabad FC 5-2 in the 78th match of the ongoing Indian Super League at the Maidaan in Gachibowli, Hyderabad on Monday, December 23. While Edmilson Correia‘s brace gave the Nawabs an early advantage in this game, NorthEast United turned the heat on their hosts in the second half and scored four consecutive goals to nick the game from under the former’s feet.
A brace from Guillermo Fernandez, one from Alaeddin Ajaraie and a couple of own goals (Lenny Rodrigues and Alex Saji) ensured this win for the Highlanders. This was Hyderabad’s first game under interim coach Shameel Chembakath following the departure of former head coach Thangboi Singto. The Highlanders will be delighted with their performance in this game and gladly take the three points on offer to jump up to the sixth position of the league table.
We take a look at three key takeaways from this game:
#3 Edmilson Correia’s stunning display on the wings
One of the biggest positives for Hyderabad in this game was attacker Edmilson Correia’s performance on the left wing. Having played as the sole centre-forward prior to this game, Correia was slotted in at the left-hand side of Hyderabad’s attack by interim coach Shameel Chembakath, and he responded in fine style.
The first goal he scored came in the fifth minute of the game when the fans had hardly settled down with their cups of tea at the Maidaan. Goalkeeper Karanjit Singh, starting his first game of the season, gave a long ball which was mis-headed by Asheer Akhtar.
Correia then picked the ball up and fired a rough shot low to Gurmeet Singh’s right. He doubled Hyderabad’s lead seven minutes later when Cy Goddard’s exquisite turn and Sourav K’s loopy ball found him once again on the left wing. This time, he breached Gurmeet’s net on the latter’s left-hand side.
#2 Cy Goddard, Lenny Rodrigues and Andrei Alba’s midfield triangle
Cy Goddard, Lenny Rodrigues and Andrei Alba formed the midfield triangle for Hyderabad in this game, and all three performed their roles to perfection. While Alba and Rodrigues were responsible for breaking the NorthEast attacks through the centre and recycling the ball to further their attacking cause, Goddard was the creator whom the Nawabs had sorely missed all season.
The Japan youth international seemed at his exquisite best while turning and frequently setting up wingers Sourav K and Correia. Goddard impressed while tracking back as well, and helped in taking at least a couple of NorthEast defenders with him away from danger. This bodes rather well for the Nawabs, who are scheduled to take on East Bengal on Saturday, 28 December in an early kickoff. Although defensive lapses cost them deep, midfield was one area where things worked well.
#1 NorthEast United’s extraordinary comeback

In this game, NorthEast United showcased one of the most stunning comebacks seen in this season of the ISL. While Guillermo Fernandez got on the scoresheet in the eighteenth minute, things remained 2-1 in favour of Hyderabad at the end of the first half.
However, a completely different animal turned up wearing white in the second half and tore the Hyderabad defence into shreds. Buanthanglun Samte’s ball found Macarton Nickson in the 55th minute, and a massive deflection off midfielder Rodrigues allowed the Highlanders to equalise.
Fernandez scored his second goal in the 62nd minute from just outside the Hyderabad box before Alaeddine Ajaraie picked up the fourth goal for NorthEast United by heading a long ball from Mohammed Bemammer over Karanjit Singh, who had come off his lines to pick up the ball. Parthib Gogoi then finished the demolition job for the visitors as his widish shot took a massive deflection off Alex Saji and went into the Hyderabad net in the 78th minute.
Follow IFTWC for more updates on Indian Football.