ISL 2022-23: Ruthless Mumbai City FC put six past Chennaiyin FC after being two goals down

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:52 am

Bipin Singh and Vignesh Dakshinamurthy both found themselves on the scoresheet in Mumbai City FC's rout of Chennaiyin FC
Bipin Singh and Vignesh Dakshinamurthy both found themselves on the scoresheet in Mumbai City FC's rout of Chennaiyin FC
Shibu Preman/Focus Sports/ ISL

It rained goals at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai as Mumbai City FC found six different goalscorers, three of them coming off the bench, to come from two goals behind to beat Chennaiyin FC 6-2 in the Indian Super League (ISL).

The Marina Arena erupted in the 19th minute when Petar Sliskovic put the hosts in front. Aakash Sangwan's delivery from the corner came off Rahul Bheke before reaching Rahim Ali. The striker lobbed the ball across the face of goal and Sliskovic headed it in from close range.

In the 32nd minute, Thomas Brdaric's side doubled their lead. Sliskovic ran at Mehtab Singh before rolling it towards El Khayati. The Dutchman's first shot was blocked by Mehtab, but the rebound was slotted in perfectly at the near post.

Jorge Pereyra Diaz, though, halved the deficit just a minute later. Mumbai swarmed forward as Greg Stewart whipped the ball in from the right flank. Diaz beat his marker and headed the ball past Debjit Majumder to make it 2-1.

In first-half stoppage time, Lalengmawia Ralte beat Debjit to the ball and was taken out in the process. The referee pointed to the spot and booked the 'keeper. Stewart stepped up to take it and sent Debjit the wrong way to reinstate parity in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

At half-time, Des Buckingham made two changes with Vinit Rai and Vignesh Dakshinamurthy coming on for Apuia and Mandar Rao Dessai. The game turned on its head four minutes into the second half. Bipin Singh pulled the ball back towards the edge of the box and Rai smashed it in.

The visitors struck again at the hour-mark and established a two-goal cushion. Ahmed Jahouh's corner was cleared only as far as Vignesh Dakshinamurthy at the edge of the box. The defender put his boot through it and found the back of the net.

The Islanders' third substitute of the evening, Alberto Noguera, also got on the scoresheet in the 65th minute. The Spaniard received the ball from Bipin and a powerful shot picked up a deflection off Diagne to sneak in at the far post. Bipin was in the action again at the very end, skipping past the defence and tucking the ball into the net to become Mumbai City's all-time leading goalscorer with 16 goals.

The win lifts Mumbai City FC up into second place in the league, four points behind leaders Hyderabad FC.