East Bengal lost pace in the I-League title race, slumping to a second defeat in as many games with a 1-2 defeat against newcomers Chennai City away from home.
The Kolkata giants took the lead through Willis Plaza, and were looking good to take all three points. However, the plucky home side battled hard and equalised through Nandakumar near the hour mark. After looking like scoring a late winner of their own, East Bengal committed hara kiri in the box and let Prasanth score the winner in the stoppage time.
Meanwhile, Churchill Brothers’ three-match winning run was snapped as it finished 0-0 at the Tilak Maidan.
Chennai pile on East Bengal’s misery
East Bengal looked lively in the first half against Chennai City and could have added to their one-goal lead at half-time had they shown little more finesse in the final third.
Plaza’s clinical finish certainly looked like giving the visitors three points. However, Chennai were resilient in the second half and took the game to Trevor Morgan’s side. Nandakumar equalised for his side, but East Bengal still controlled the game, and could have netted the winner. Plaza missed an easy chance late in the game and Chennai made them pay. Prasanth, who was his side’s best player, bundled the ball into the net after the East Bengal defence faltered with what should have been a regulation clearance.
Brief scores:
- Churchill Brothers 0 draw with Shillong Lajong 0
- Chennai City 2 (Prasanth, Nandakumar) beat East Bengal 1 (Willis Plaza)