Talking Points: Are NEROCA FC out of contention for the I-League title?

The win keeps the Goan side five points behind table-toppers Chennai City.

Churchill Brothers managed to edge past NEROCA FC 2-1 courtesy of a late brace from Willis Plaza. Varney Kallon scored the only goal for NEROCA. The win moves Churchill back to the second position on the table, five points behind table-toppers Chennai City.

Kallon gave the visitors the lead In the 24th minute through a well-executed set-piece. Churchill keft it late, scoring twice in the final five minutes, both times through Plaza. The two goals strengthen Plaza's position as the highest scorer of the current season along with Pedro Manzi.

Let's take a look at the five talking points from the game:

5. Are Churchill Brothers over-dependent on Willis Plaza?

Plaza has been part of 14 of the 24 goals Churchill Brothers have scored this season

There has been one thing constant in Churchill Brothers' games - Willis Plaza scoring winners for them. The two goals against NEROCA mean the striker has been part of 14 of the 24 goals Churchill have scored this season.

A team aiming to fight for the top prize cannot and must not have to depend on a single forward for goals. The Red Machines' fans would want the likes of Anthony Wolfe, Chesterpaul Lyngdoh and Dawda Ceesay to contribute more in attack.

4. Are Churchill Brothers clumsy at defending set-pieces?

Churchill pinned NEROCA in their defensive half for most of the game. The goal they scored was against the run of play and through a free-kick. What troubled Churchill the most were the dangerous set-pieces of the visitors, particularly those from Aryn Williams.

While the northeastern side conceded through a set-piece as well, they looked confident while dealing with most of them, unlike the hosts.

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3. Did NEROCA pay the price for their missed chances?

Katsumi Yusa missed two sitters, both in the second half, allowing Churchill to take advantage of the same

The away side were in their defensive half for most of the game. But, they did well on the counter. The likes of Katsumi Yusa, Felix Chidi and Malem Meetei were exceptionally good in attack, though they were guilty of missing chances that could have sealed the deal for the club from the northeast.

Katsumi Yusa missed two sitters, both in the second half, allowing Churchill to take advantage of the same.

2. Do Churchill play the best brand of football in the league?

While there has always been talk about Chennai City and the way their coach has made them play the best brand of football in the league, there is a certain team from Goa who could vouch for that title as well.

The game between Churchill and NEROCA is a testament to the same. Churchill's midfield was all over the field and outperformed that of NEROCA with ease. The likes of Khalid Aucho, Lyngdoh and Ceesay dominated the game for the team from Goa.

1. Are NEROCA out of title contention?

The loss means NEROCA stay in fifth position, with 21 points from 13 games. They are nine points behind leaders Chennai City. East Bengal, Churchill and Real Kashmir all have more points than the team from the northeast at the moment.

With just seven games left to play, it means that their hopes of winning the title have been shattered once again, after playing their hearts out in the past two seasons.