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An inspirational performance from substitute Nasser El Khayati led Chennaiyin FC to a 3-1 win over Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. In their fourth home match of the season, Chennaiyin finally managed to register their first victory in front of their fans. Petar Sliskovic opened the scoring for Chennaiyin midway through the first half with a header from point-blank range. Ishan Pandita equalised midway through the second half, but Vincy Barretto put Chennaiyin back in the lead immediately after. Nasser El Khayati then put his magical stamp on the evening with a stunning goal to seal the points. Chennaiyin boss Thomas Brdaric made four changes to his side from the 6-2 loss against Mumbai City FC last week. Anirudh Thapa and Jiteshwor Singh missed out through injuries, while Rahim Ali and El Khayati dropped down to the bench, as Vafa Hakhamaneshi returned from suspension while Jockson Dhas, Sajal Bag and Sourav Das made their first ISL starts of the season. Jamshedpur too made wholesale changes as Mohammad Uvais, Ishan Pandita, Farukh Choudhary and Wellington Priori made their way into Aidy Boothroyd's starting XI. Sliskovic had the first chance of the match, after a run down the left wing, but his attempted shot was easily gathered by TP Rehenesh. The big striker had another chance a few minutes later after a brilliant solo run by Prasanth Karuthadathkuni down the left wing, but a volley at an awkward height flew over Rehenesh's goal. Chennaiyin continued to dominate the early exchanges, with Fallou Diagne being the next to have a sight of goal, as the centre-back's shot from distance flew just above the bar, after having Rehenesh worried. Sliskovic then got the goal he was threatening all half. Jockson was played through on the right wing, and attempted a shot across Rehenesh, which was saved, but the rebound fell to the Croatian striker, who headed into an open goal to give Chennaiyin a deserved lead. Chennaiyin continued to have the upper hand in proceedings after the break, and should've doubled their lead through Prasanth. A superb through ball from Julius Duker put the winger through on goal, but he shot straight at the onrushing Rehenesh. Edwin Vanspaul nearly scored with his first touch after coming on as a substitute, but his shot from distance only dipped enough to land on the roof of the net. Sliskovic had yet another chance not soon after, as Jamshedpur failed to clear their lines, and the ball fell to the striker on the edge of the box, but his curling effort went a whisker wide of the far post. Chennaiyin were then made to rue those missed chances for a bit, as Harry Sawyer flicked on a long ball towards Pandita, who volleyed a superb first-time shot to give Debjit Majumder no chance in the Chennaiyin goal. But parity didn't last long, as two Chennaiyin substitutes combined to put them back in the lead. El Khayati's cross from the left wing found Vincy at the back-post, and his scuffed finish was placed well enough to take it past Rehenesh. The lead was doubled by El Khayati's magical feet. After receiving a superb reverse pass from Duker, El Khayati jinked his way past the Jamshedpur defence and Rehenesh to slot into an empty net, and seal the three points for Brdaric's men.
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JFC
