Mumbai City FC bowed out of the Indian Super League this season, in a fashion they would not like to remember for many upcoming seasons of the ISL. Chennaiyin FC thrashed the Maharashtra side 3-0 on a rain-soaked night in Chennai to almost-secure their progress to the playoffs this season.
Stiven Mendoza, as usual, continued his goalscoring exploits, while Indian winger Thoi Singh also notched two assists.
The ball wasn't moving in the pitch, thanks to the waterlogging, but Mendoza still managed to get the opener of the night as he slotted home a beautiful pass from Zakeer Mundampara, to get his 11th goal of the season. It was difficult to even play passes, but the Colombian, who has brewed magic in the ISL this year, didn't let that hamper his goalscoring spree.
Chennaiyin FC made their intentions clear that they were going for the kill as Indian forward Jeje Lalpekhlua doubled the lead in the 18th minute, after he was fed a wonderful backheel pass from Thoi Singh. The goal saw a combination of Indian footballers as Dhanachandra Singh's curler from the left flank found Thoi, and the Bengaluru FC winger passed it on to Jeje to complete the formalitites.
Mendoza almost got the third of the night for the home side ten minutes later but Subrata Paul and Mumbai defender Darren O'Dea used their strength to make the crucial interception. However, the home side didn't have to wait too long to get their third goal as Bernard Mendy got on the scoresheet just before the half time.
Thoi Singh remained the assist for the second time in the match as he played a gem of a pass once more to allow Mendy score a subtle chipped goal past Subrata inside the Mumbai City FC goal.
The second half continued with the same momentum, but the away side could take something out of it, as they did try to get their shots on goal, but to no avail. Sony Norde gave one more performance of his life by being a constant workhorse in the flanks, as he used his pace and dribbling abilities to force a lot of saves out of Edel Bete.
Nicolas Anelka remained a frustrated figure in the sidelines, and there wasn't much emotion that could be extracted out of him as the moment was all about Marco Materazzi and his Chennaiyin FC army.
Watch all the three goals:
