We have come to an end of this amazing contest tonight. We will meet again on Sunday where FC Pune City host ATK at 1930 IST. Till then goodbye and take care!
Awards
The Club Award goes to Chennaiyin FC as they won the game. The Limitless Player of the Match is awarded to Gregory Nelson. The Winning Pass of the Match is given to Laldinliana Renthlei. The Emerging Player of the game is Laldinliana Renthlei and the Hero of the Match is Raphael Augusto.
Rare 3-points for Chennaiyin FC
Chennaiyin FC have broken their losing streak here against the table-toppers Bengaluru FC. It is the visitors who dominated the second half. They pulled one back through Sunil Chhetri, early in the second half and then were on the charge. However, Chennaiyin FC had all their men at the back and managed to hold onto their lead. There were a few ambitious efforts by the Bengaluru FC men but no clear-cut chances. A well-deserved win in the end for the hosts and they finally have something to be happy about.
90'
Full time
The ref has blown his whistle for the end of the 2nd half. Chennaiyin FC has won this contest with 2 goals.
90'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Bengaluru FC : Edmund Lalrindika
90'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Bengaluru FC : Ajay Chhetri
90'
Substitution
Substitution - Chennaiyin FC (In: Mohammed Rafi, Out: Jeje Lalpekhlua)
90'
Added time
5 minutes of added time signalled by the officials.
90'
Substitution
Substitution - Bengaluru FC (In: Ajay Chhetri, Out: Harmanjot Khabra)
82'
On target
Kean Lewis from outside the box takes a volley off the loose ball. His shot is though wide on left. Edmund Lalrindika intercepts the ball and passes it to Xisco Hernandez. Xisco takes it first time on the goal. His shot though was caught by the keeper.
76'
Replacement
Erik Paartalu is being replaced by Edmund Lalrindika. Another fresh leg for Bengaluru FC.
76'
Substitution
Substitution - Bengaluru FC (In: Edmund Lalrindika, Out: Erik Paartalu)
73'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Bengaluru FC : Erik Paartalu
72'
Subs
Thoi Singh in for CK Vineeth.
72'
Substitution
Substitution - Chennaiyin FC (In: Thoi Singh, Out: CK Vineeth)
68'
Getting closer
Miku receives the ball outside the box. He then decides to go on the goal all by himself. He fires a shot towards near post but Karanjit Singh comfortably catches it.
65'
Foul
Gregory Nelson puts in a sliding tackle on Kean Lewis and is been booked by the ref. The ref shows him the yellow card.
65'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Chennaiyin FC : Gregory Nelson
57'
GOALLLL!!!!!
Sunil Chhetri has pulled one back here. Xisco Hernandez watchfully crosses in for Chhetri who times his run brilliantly into the box. Sunil Chhetri then dives and gets his head to the ball. Guides it to the left of the keeper who had no chance there. 2-1, GAME ON HERE!
57'
Goal
Goal - Bengaluru FC : Sunil Chhetri
54'
Substitution
Luis Lopez has been replaced by Kean Lewis. Bengaluru FC has introduced some fresh legs here.
54'
Substitution
Substitution - Bengaluru FC (In: Kean Lewis, Out: Luis Lopez)
48'
Booking
Luis Lopez has been booked by the ref for pulling the jersey of Raphael Augusto. The ref presents him with a yellow card.
48'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Bengaluru FC : Luis Lopez
46'
2nd half
Chennaiyin FC will get us underway in the second half.
Chennaiyin FC on top
What a half it was for Chennaiyin FC. Both the teams have nearly created equal number of chances but it is hosts here who have the lead. The first goal came off Jeje Lalpekhlua's foot and the second off Gregory Nelson's head. However, Bengaluru FC are capable of making a comeback. They did do it in the last game, can they do it again?
45'
Half time
The ref has blown the whistle for the end of first half.
45'
Added time
2 minutes of added time has been signaled.
43'
GOALLLL!!!!!
Chennaiyin FC has made it two before half time. CK Vineeth passes it to Laldinliana Renthlei on his right. Laldinliana sharply crosses it for Gregory in the box. Gregory Nelson runs from behind and heads it into the goal before Rino Anto could clear it. A sharp cross and a sharp finish to it.
43'
Goal
Goal - Chennaiyin FC : Gregory Nelson
38'
Corner time
Gregory Nelson kicks the ball in the box from the corner line. Juanan though heads it out from harm's way.
32'
GOALLLL!!!!!
Raphael Augusto begins the move from his half and runs with the ball till the opponent's box. He then passes it to CK Vineeth on his left. CK nearly lost control on the ball but passes it towards Jeje in the box. CK's pass was interrupted by Nishu Kumar but he doesn't get good control on the ball. Jeje Lalpekhlua finds a loose ball in the box with 1-on-1 with the keeper. He fires it towards the keeper but no chance for the keeper to stop it from that close. Chennaiyin FC triumphs.
32'
Goal
Goal - Chennaiyin FC : Jeje Lalpekhlua
28'
So close
Xisco Hernandez puts in a through ball for Miku who was on the front. He dangerously runs in the box and fires off a shot. It was though just missing the near post as it rolls off for the goal kick.
24'
A hopeful cross
A cross from Rino Anto was headed back into the box by Miku. He though was unsuccessful in finding a teammate there. The ball is then cleared off by the Chennaiyin FC defenders.
19'
Substitution
Zohmingliana Ralte is been replaced by Anirudh Thapa. Zohmingliana Ralte has been taken away on the stretcher.
19'
Substitution
Substitution - Chennaiyin FC (In: Anirudh Thapa, Out: Zohmingliana Ralte)
15'
Injury
Zohmingliana Ralte is out of the field, looks like have injured himself.
12'
A chance
Luis Lopez puts in a long ball for Miku who times his run perfectly to beat the offside trap and runs along the right flank. Miku then fires it to his left but there was no friend in the box to finish it.
8'
Foul
Christopher Herd was brought down by Erik Paartalu in the midfield. The ref blows the whistle and halts the play.
2'
On target
A loose ball from a Chennaiyin FC defender was intercepted, Xisco Hernandez receives the ball outside the box, he shoots it on goal. Karanjit Singh though stops the ball with a dive to his right.
1'
Kick off
Bengaluru FC to start the game by passing the ball behind. Chennaiyin FC will chase them from here for the half.
Toss
Chennaiyin FC have won the toss and will attack from left to right in the 1st half.
National Anthem
Officials and players are out for the Indian National Anthem.
Karanjit Singh (GK), Tondonba Singh, Eli Sabia, Zohmingliana Ralte, Laldinliana Renthlei, Christopher Herd, Francisco Fernandes, Raphael Augusto, Gregory Nelson, Jeje Lalpekhlua (C), CK Vineeth.
Welcome!
Welcome to Matchday 73 of this year's ISL edition. Chennaiyin FC will host Bengaluru FC. A clash between one side which is right at the top of the table and the other is rock bottom. One is looking to stretch his lead at the top and the other is hoping to avoid the wooden spoon. The hosts come into this game on a 5-match losing streak and they would be eager to break that. It though won't be easy against a Bengaluru FC side who come into this game after drawing their last. They would love to get back to winning ways and they are favorites to do so.