Table-toppers FC Goa got back to winning ways while defending champions Bengaluru FC continued their domination as another thrilling week of the Indian Super League folds.
ATK’s three-match winning streak came to an end as Kerala Blasters completed a league double over the two-time champions. Odisha FC, on the other hand, registered their third victory on the trot with a convincing 2-0 win over Mumbai City FC, while Chennaiyin FC climbed a place to get out of the bottom two by dismantling Hyderabad FC 3-1 away from home.
A total of 11 goals were scored across five games and here are the best from the lot.
Nerijus Valskis
For: Chennaiyin FC
Against: Hyderabad FC
2017-18 champions Chennaiyin FC had a field day in their last away game, which was against bottom club Hyderabad FC. Owen Coyle’s side claimed a comfortable 1-3 win, with the gloss of that game being their final goal scored by Lithuanian striker Nerijus Valskis. After playing a neat one-two with his winger, Valskis found himself in some place inside the penalty box, and unleashed a powerful low shot which beat Hyderabad keeper Kamaljit Singh all ends up.
Xisco Hernandez
For: Odisha FC
Against: Mumbai City FC
Odisha FC have often employed a long throw strategy in their games, and that method paid dividends in their home game against Mumbai City FC. An astray ball somehow found its way to an unmarked Xisco Hernandez in the middle, who unleashed a first-time volley that rocketed past the Mumbai shot-stopper. The Spaniard’s goal helped his side get a 2-0 victory in that game.
Halicharan Narzary
For: Kerala Blasters
Against: ATK
Kerala Blasters’ away game against ATK was hotly contested, with both teams having chances to score in that clash. However, the game remained deadlocked till about the 70th minute, needing that something special to unlock the defence. And that something special arrived through the right boot of Halicharan Narzary, who slotted one into the corner from outside the box to give his side a 1-0 victory.
Erik Paartalu
For: Bengaluru FC
Against: Jamshedpur FC
Towering midfielder Erik Paartalu has been a standout performer for Bengaluru FC this season. Sitting just ahead of the defensive line, the 33-year-old has not only prevented goals, but has also notched two in his kitty; one of which came against Jamshedpur FC last week on
Thursday.
Always a threat during the set-pieces, the Australian international rose high in as early as the eighth minute to connect with Dimas Delgado’s corner, and Subrata Pal had no chance of keeping his header out.
Sunil Chhetri
For: Bengaluru FC
Against: Jamshedpur FC
Bengaluru skipper, Sunil Chhetri has been in a devastating form of late. After a rather slow start to the new campaign, the 35-year-old is back scoring goals and how!
Against Jamshedpur FC, Chhetri capitalized on a defensive blunder, but there was still a lot of work to be done. Skipping away from the defender, Chhetri headed the ball away from the goalkeeper and swiftly tapped it into the net to take his tally to eight in 12 league outings.
Feature image: Twitter / @bengalurufc
