Ratings: Diaz, Lachenpa shine as Mumbai City win dramatic encounter

Danish Farooq scored the only goal for Kerala Blasters

What a game of football we have had here at the Mumbai Football Arena as Mumbai CIty FC pulled off a hard fought win over Kerala Blasters at home. The game had everything. Be it drama, goals, red cards, we saw it all.

The Islanders opened the scoring with Jorge Pereyra Diaz before Kerala Blasters equalised. Mumbai again took the lead with Apuia scoring the second goal. The Indian Super League (ISL) tie ended 2-1, letting the Islanders edge past Kerala Blasters. We witnessed a thriller in the city of dreams.

Here are the player ratings from the game

Mumbai City FC

Phurba Lachenpa (GK) - 8.0

Lachenpa made a comeback into the starting XI for the first time this season. He had a great outing as he showed up with a save every time he was called into action by the visitors. Lachenpa saved Mumbai with some crucial last minute saves.

Rahul Bheke (C) - 7.0

The skipper was solid at the right back position. He did a pretty good job and denied Kerala Blasters from attacking through his side. He maintained a good passing accuracy and also won the majority of his ground duels. Bheke played a key role in creating the first goal for his side.

Rostyn Griffiths - 7.5

It was indeed a solid performance from the defender from down under. He defended with his heart on his sleeves and was not hesitant to put in the challenges. Moreover, he was also very good with his ball distribution.

Mehtab Singh - 7.0

Mhetab made crucial headed clearances inside the box and came to his side’s rescue. He formed a solid partnership with Griffiths by his side and did not allow the Blasters with many chances.

Akash Mishra - 7.0

Mishra dropped a good performance. He was not only good at the back, but also contributed heavily up front. Mishra completed the majority of his passes, made quick overlapping runs and dropped in an all round performance for his side.

Apuia - 7.5

Apuia had a decent game. He completed the majority of his passes, held the midfield together and was responsible for doing the dirty work in the middle. He was having a quiet game and then he decided to score a goal for his side. 

Yoell Van Nieff - 7.5

The Dutch midfielder put in a great shift in the middle of the park for Mumbai City FC. He won the ball a lot of times and helped his side control the tempo of the game. Nieff also created a big chance for his side which went unconverted. But, he was shown a red card late in the game.

Greg Stewart - 7.0

Greg Stewart did what he does best. He created a lot of chances for the Islanders with his trickery. Stewart created a big chance and also executed a couple of key passes for his side.

Lallianzuala Chhangte - 7.0

Chhangte worked his socks off the right flank and also switched sides with Bipin midway through the game. He won the majority of his ground duels, was excellent with his ball distribution and also contributed in defence..

Jorge Pereyra Diaz - 8.0

He scored for the third consecutive game as he opened the scoring for the Islanders late in the first half. Diaz also played a key role in creating the second goal for Mumbai. In short, it was an all round performance from the Argentine striker.

Bipin Singh - 6.5

Bipin had a relatively quiet game. He created a couple of chances up front and also came back to help out his defenders at the back.

Substitutes

Naser El Khayati - 6.5

Khayati came on for Greg Stewart in the second half. He troubled the Blasters with his skills and trickery.

Vikram Pratap - NA

He came on late in the game and couldn’t make much of an impact.

Gurkirat Singh - NA

Gurkirat was brought on late in the second half and couldn’t do much for his side.

Tiri - NA

Tiri also came on very late and did not have much of an impact.

Kerala Blasters FC

Sachin Suresh (GK) - 6.0

Sachin had a game to forget. His first mistake helped Mumbai score the opening goal. It wasn’t an ideal game for him as he couldn't do much to deny Mumbai CIty FC.

Prabir Das - 7.0

Prabir was very active at the right back position. He was busy putting in clearances, blocks and tackles for his side at the back. He won the ball multiple times and also maintained a decent passing accuracy.

Pritam Kotal - 7.0

Kotal did not have an ideal outing in the City of dreams. The Indian international made a mistake in the first half that cost his side a goal. Other than that, he put in a decent shift at the back.

Milos Drincic - 6.5

He made a few important clearances and tackles and denied Mumbai City FC from scoring more goals. Drincic maintained a decent passing accuracy and also completed a dribble.

Aiban Dohling - 6.5

Aiban’s shift was cut short due to a first half injury. But, for as long as he was there, he did a pretty decent job at the left-back position.

Daisuke Sakai - 6.5

The Japanese attacker put in a decent shift for Kerala Blasters. He made more than 15 sprints, one of the most in the game and was always ready to put in an extra yard for his side. 

Jeakson Singh - 6.5

Jeakson completed 86% of his passes. He only played a role in the first half and put in three interceptions and pulled off a clearance in the process.

Vibin Mohanan - 7.5

The young lad put in a good shift in the middle of the park. He won the ball in crucial positions and even defended really well. His heat map shows the amount of work he had put in for his side including a few crucial interceptions and clearances.

Adrian Luna - 8.0

Luna dropped in another masterclass for his side. Although his side couldn’t get all three points, Luna put in a fabulous performance. He was always trying to create something or the other was heavily involved in the goal that Kerala Blasters scored.

Danish Farooq - 7.0

Danish brought his side back on level terms with an equaliser in the second half. He was already having a good game and then decided to cap it off with a goal. 

Dimitris Diamantakos - 6.5

Diamantakos also put in a decent shift upfront. He was awarded with a few golden chances to give his side the lead, but he couldn’t make the most out of those. He executed two shots on target and had a shot blocked.

Substitutes

Sandeep Singh - 7.0

He came on to replace Aiban in the first half. Sandeep played a key role in Kerala Blasters’ equaliser as he assisted Danish Farooq for that goal. 

Freddy Lallawmawma - 7.5

Freddy came on in the second half to replace Jeakson Singh in the middle. The young midfielder worked his socks off. He won the majority of his ground and aerial duels and also helped his defenders at the back.

Mohammed Aimen - 7.0 

Aimen came on for Daisuke Sakai in the second half. He had a decent game, but the best moment for him would be the goal line clearances that he pulled off in the second half.

Kwame Peprah - 6.5

Peprah came on in the second half to replace Danish Farooq. He tried to make things happen and had a shot on target blocked in the process. 

Rahul KP - 6.5

Rahul came on late in the game to replace Vibin. He tried to create a chance for his side very late in the game, but couldn’t execute it well.