Mumbai City went on top of the ISL table to take a 2 point lead courtesy of a 2-0 victory over the Kerala Blasters. The Islanders have recovered brilliantly after suffering a defeat in their first game, they have gone unbeaten in their last 7, winning 6 times. Kerala went into the game riding high on their recent success over the Nizams but failed to capitalize on their winning momentum. Adam Le Fondre scored from the spot to open the scoring as early as the 3rd minute grabbing his 6th goal this campaign while Boumous got the second 8 minutes later.
Some brilliant pressing from Mumbai led to their first goal. Vicente Gomez buckled under the Mumbai press and gave away a weak back pass which was picked up by Boumous and Costa’s tackle inside the box was deemed to be unfair by the referee and Le Fondre didn’t miss from the spot. Boumous doubled Mumbai’s lead in the 11th minute when Jahouh’s long pass from his own penalty box found the Blasters defense out of position and Boumous maximized on the opportunity and beat Albino Gomes at his far post.
Let’s look how the Islanders and Blasters fared in our ratings.
Mumbai City FC
Amrinder Singh 9
Mumbai has just conceded 3 goals in the ISL this year and Amrinder has been a big reason why. He made some crucial saves from Sahal and Vicente Gomex on either side of half time to keep his 5th Clean Sheet this season
Amey Ranawade 7
Ranawade did have a hard time dealing with the pacey Blasters attack but he maintained his composure and ground out a decent performance.
Mourtada Fall 8.5
Fall continued his fine form in the league with another dependable performance. He did lose the ball cheaply to Sahal under pressure but his goalkeeper bailed him out. He didn’t let that get to his head and produced another solid performance
Hernan 7.5
Hernan complimented Fall pretty well in the heart of the defense and produced a good performance. They did let in some easy shots in the second half and will need to address that.
Mandar Rao Desai 7
Mandar could have gotten his name on the score sheet and got Mumbai a third goal but he was wasteful in front of goal when the opportunity presented itself. Defensively another sound performance from the man from Goa.
Rowllin Borges 8
From one lad from Goa to another Goanese in the Mumbai ranks, Rowllin had yet another impactful game in the Islanders midfield, orchestrating forward passes and disrupting Blasters foray into his territory.
Ahmed Jahouh 8.5
The Moroccan in the heart of Mumbai’s midfield often goes unnoticed caught up doing the dirty work for his side but his brilliant pass which led to Boumous’s goal will be part of ISL folklore. Another strong performance from him.
Bipin Singh 6.5
Bipin too could have scored after he was through on goal picking up on a wayward back pass from Sahal but his shot on goal was anticlimatic much like his performance on the night.
Hugo Boumous 8
Boumous was a constant thorn in the side for the Blasters with his antics and his footballing abilities. He earned the penalty that opened the scoring and then scored Mumbai’s second. He did earn another penalty for his side, this time deciding to take it on himself but his spot-kick was saved.
Raynier Fernandes 7.5
Raynier had a decent game down the flanks and causing enough trouble down the Blasters left keeping Jessel busy.
Adam Le Fondre 8
The Englishman grabbed his 6th goal of the campaign as his penalty squeezed between Albino Gomes. He had a busy game, chasing through balls and Blasters defenders down.
Substitues:
Vikram Pratap Singh unrated
Mohamad Rakip unrated
Vignesh 7
Cy Goddard 7.5
Bartholomew Ogbeche 7
Kerala Blasters
Albino Gomes 7.5
Albino Gomes saved his third penalty this season when he denied Boumous’ spot-kick. He also had Le Fondre’s penalty covered but was unlucky as it forced the way through. It was an up to the par performance from him under the bar.
Sandeep Singh 7.5
Sandeep Singh was caught out of position during the Islanders second goal and he did concede a penalty in the second half which felt a bit harsh but Albino saved Boumous’ effort. Barring a couple of hiccups, he did have a sound game.
Nishu Kumar 6.5
Nishu Kumar’s lack of communication with Costa led to the brilliant and equally horrific second goal. Nishu did have a couple of good moments during what was mostly a forgetful performance from his behalf.
Costa Nhamoinesu 6.5
Costa might have felt hard done by when the decision went against him during the first penalty incident but he has no place to hide when it comes to Mumbai’s second goal. He was unable to get himself into position or organise his defence and his difficult journey in the ISL continues.
Jessel Carneiro 7
Jessel didn’t have the best days in office neither was it worse. It was an okay performance from him and both him and Kibu Vicuna will have better expectations from him.
Jeakson Sing 7.5
Jeakson played his second full game for the Blasters last night and India’s only goal scorer in a World Cup game showed glimpses of brilliance playing a holding midfielder. Calm and composed with the ball at this feet, he was able to distribute the ball to begin meaningful attacks and also protect it from the Mumbai press.
Vicente Gomez 7
Vicente Gomez had a shot saved in the first half and his brilliant effort on goal in the second half was equally matched by Amrinder. He did move the ball forward well and managed to create some openings but to no avail.
Sahal Abdul Samad 7
Sahal probably found himself at the end of two of the best opportunities the Blasters had on the night and failed to score either of them. His first shot was parried away by Amrinder and for the second the Mumbai goalkeeper closed down the angle so fast that Sahal’s shot on goal deflected off him to safety.
Facundo Pereyra 7
Facundo had a decent game, causing trouble down the wings and giving Mumbai a few headaches. He did try to curl another goal in from a corner kick but the Mumbai custodian was aware and danger was averted.
Puitea 6.5
Puitea too would feel let down from his own performance. He did manage to get into the right positions but his missed out on chances by being a fraction bit late. He did get into decent places in the box with the ball at his feet but his decision making let him down.
Jordan Murray 7.5
Jordan Murray would feel let down that his goal was disallowed, a 50-50 decision that could have gone either way went in favour of Mumbai’s. He would probably feel he deserved a penalty after Hernan brought him down in the box in the first half. There was no lack of effort from the man as he also managed to put Sahal through on goal but things just didn’t go his way.