Ratings: Parthib Gogoi silver lining as Mumbai City conquer NorthEast United

The Islanders had three different scorers on the scoresheet.

Mumbai City extended their unbeaten run in the on-going season of the Indian Super League (ISL 2022-23) by defeating NorthEast United 3-1 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Friday. As a result, they emerged as the new table-toppers, moving two points ahead of Hyderabad FC.

Ahmed Jahouh converted from the spot to secure the Islanders’ opening goal of the night before Parthib Gogoi equalized the score for the home team. However, Des Buckingham’s men gradually grew back into the game and goals by Bipin Singh and Jorge Pereyra Diaz secured three points for them from this away fixture.

Here are the player ratings for both teams from this game.

NorthEast United (by Uttiyo Sarkar)

Mirshad Michu – 7.0

Mirshad was a very busy customer against the non-stop shots from the visitors. He made 10 saves in the game, producing some brilliant reflexes to frustrate Mumbai. He couldn’t really do much about the first two goals and was unlucky to see his parried save leading to the third. NorthEast United would’ve lost by a much bigger margin if not for his heroics.

Joe Zoherliana – 4.0

Zoherliana had a torrid time against the menacing Bipin Singh, who blazed past him all through the game. However, he lost track of Bipin for his strike and was unable to stop him from getting into dangerous areas and troubling his keeper. The right-back didn’t seem to have the same intensity as his opposition winger.

Michael Jakobsen – 4.0

The NorthEast United captain failed to lead by example. He couldn’t maintain a solid defensive shape and was repeatedly outwitted by Jorge Pereyra Diaz. He couldn’t react quickly enough to stop Diaz from scoring a tap-in in the second half and horribly lacked a commanding nature at the back.

Aaron Evans – 6.0

Evans was probably his side’s most proactive defender and the one who made the least number of errors. His clever game-reading ability allowed him to make four interceptions and two clearances to thwart pressure. He couldn’t really do much about the goals.

Gurjinder Kumar – 4.0

Mumbai City seemed to have targeted Gurjinder’s wing to create their chances and the left-back fell right into their trap. He moved away from his position multiple times, causing empty space to be created. He even gave the ball away in a dangerous area leading to Bipin’s goal. Gurjinder had very little attacking impact and was very brittle defensively.

Jon Gaztanaga – 5.0

The Spanish midfielder failed to protect his backline well, often allowing Mumbai City to move the ball through the central areas. Gazta failed to keep Greg Stewart quiet and didn’t look comfortable after taking a knock in the first half.

Pragyan Gogoi – 6.5

While he couldn’t get on the scoresheet like his brother, Pragyan was full of energy in midfield. He made three interceptions, three blocks and two tackles, working very hard to stop Mumbai from completely dominating the proceedings. The midfielder created one decent chance, but that had little goal threat.

Romain Philippoteaux – 7.5

The experienced Frenchman proved his quality against a major side like Mumbai, running rings around their defenders. Romain was almost like the Highlanders' only creative threat, creating four major chances with some brilliant passes into the box. He also made three blocks and four interceptions, including a key one before making a smart assist for Gogoi’s strike.

Imran Khan – 5.0

Imran Khan failed to be an influential part of his side’s attack, getting boxed out by the opposition side. He was only able to create one chance and made little impact from the right-wing. He was given the ball in a promising scoring area in the second half, but scuffed his shot wide.

Rochharzela – 4.5

Roccharzela was a bit unlucky to give away the penalty, as he seemed to have fouled Stewart outside the box rather than in it. Despite that, he was a bit silly to commit a foul in that area. He then horribly missed a major chance to redeem himself, scuffing a major chance minutes after the opener. He lacked any considerable threat and was taken off before the hour-mark.

Parthib Gogoi – 7.5

The young forward was arguably NorthEast United’s biggest bright spark in the game. He troubled the experienced Mumbai City backline with his tricky movement and was a real livewire up front. Gogoi made a fantastic run to confuse the MCFC defenders before producing a great finish for his goal. He poured his heart out and was involved in NorthEast’s biggest attacking moves on the day.

Substitutes

Mohamed Irshad – 6.0

Irshad added a little more protection for his backline in the last half-hour to stop the scoreline from getting worse. He had a weak shot saved easily.

Wilmar Jordan – 5.5

As previously said by Marco Balbul, the new NorthEast United striker seemed to be lacking in match fitness. He was barely able to create anything or threaten the keeper during his time on the pitch.

Emil Benny – 6.0

Benny added more legs to his side after coming on and was basically tasked to stop Mumbai City from finding empty spaces inside the NorthEast United half.

Gani Nigam – N/A

Gani was involved in a couple of decent attacking moves, including creating a chance that didn’t transpire to anything.

Emanuel Lalchhanchhuaha – N/A

Emanuel created some nice moments with his bursting movement, but failed to create anything major.

Mumbai City (By Tarkesh Jha)

Phurba Lachenpa – 6

Phurba pulled off another fine performance as he did little wrong apart from the sole goal that NorthEast notched this night. The young custodian made some important clearances but was largely untroubled as the Islanders imposed their attacking dominance in this game.

Rahul Bheke – 6

Bheke was actively involved in both ends of the pitch, putting in some important challenges initially and then moving up ahead with purpose and intent to interlink with Lallianzuala Chhangte on the right flank.

Rostyn Griffiths – 6

Griffiths made a clearance, blocked a couple of shots but most importantly displayed tremendous composure at the back with a 93 per cent passing accuracy to help build Mumbai’s attacking patterns.

Mehtab Singh – 5.5

Mehtab’s slight slip-up led to Mumbai losing possession and conceding the equalizer in the 17th minute. However, the centre-back recuperated well from the setback to deliver another solid performance from a defensive perspective thereafter.

Vignesh Dakshinamurthy – 7

Vignesh infused dynamism in the attacking half as he created a goal-scoring opportunity in addition to putting in a cross as well. He was tenacious at the back end of the field as well, recording five tackles and four interceptions to cap off an all-round performance.

Ahmed Jahouh – 7.5

Jahouh dictated the play from the centre of the park with his robust defensive acumen along with his free-flowing creativity that stemmed Mumbai’s attacking moves.

The Moroccan midfielder recorded seven tackles and three interceptions and also stepped up to convert the spot-kick that led to the Islanders’ inaugural goal for the night.

Vinit Rai – 5.5

Rai made good work of a rare start. He worked all around the midfield, often shifting wide to send some lateral balls inside the 18-yard box whilst also ensuring that he put in a vital defensive shift as well.

Greg Stewart – 7.5

Stewart bagged two assists and was a goal-scoring threat throughout the night as he hit as many as five shots on target. The 30-year-old linked up seamlessly with his fellow forwards to bring about some flawless attacking moves that helped Mumbai assert their dominance over the proceedings.

Bipin Singh – 7

Bipin was sharp, direct and constantly involved in some incisive link-ups and moves in the left-flank. He notched a goal, took three shots and created as many as five goal-scoring chances to round up another convincing performance this year.

Lallianzuala Chhangte – 5.5

Chhangte couldn’t get on the scoresheet but was industrious enough to try and force some constructive moves upfront with his pace, shooting prowess and crosses. He put in three crosses and glanced one shot on target.

Jorge Pereyra Diaz – 7

Diaz again showed some terrific composure to bag Mumbai’s third goal of the night. He took a couple of shots at target and also created two goal-scoring chances before being taken off in the 66th minute.

Substitutes

Alberto Noguera – 5.5

Noguera instilled some great energy in the proceedings and also took two shots as he quickly became central to Mumbai’s attacking moves upon his introduction to the field.

Rowllin Borges – 5.5

Borges was brought on to ensure that Mumbai do not lose the plot defensively in the final quarter of the game and the 30-year-old did that job well enough.

Mourtada Fall - N/A

Vikram Partap Singh - N/A