Chennaiyin FC vs East Bengal FC player ratings: Brison Shines, Bipin disappoints in ISL 2026-27 clash
The Marina Machans record their first victory of the ISL 2026-27 season.
East Bengal FC suffered their first loss in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 this season at the hands of Chennaiyin FC by a score line of 5-3 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
Chennaiyin FC were on top for large parts of the game, dominating the shot count with close to 25 attempts. East Bengal, coming off the back of a disappointing result in the AFC Champions League Two, were poor yet again as they were completely outplayed by Clifford Miranda’s side.
Brison Fernandes and Irfan Yadwad scored braces, while Ramon Tanque added another to complete the five-goal haul for the Marina Machans. David Lalhlansanga, Ake Loba and Dani Ramírez were among the goalscorers for the visitors.
Let’s take a look at how both sets of players fared in an end-to-end encounter that produced eight goals in total.
Chennaiyin FC Player Ratings (by Shyam)
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Mohammad Nawaz – 7/10
Mohammad Nawaz had another solid game at the back for the Marina Machans. There was very little he could have done about the goals conceded, as all three came following individual errors.
He made a brilliant save to deny Vishnu PV from a close angle, while also making a few routine saves and rushing off his line to clear long balls, effectively playing as a sweeper-keeper.
Muhammed Saheef – 6/10
Although Saheef made a few crucial interceptions and recoveries, he gave away a penalty through a needless handball, failing to tuck his hands back inside he penalty area.
Nuno Reis – 6.5/10
Nuno Reis, stepping into the team in Emmanuel’s absence, had a mixed game. He was defensively consistent for major parts of the match but was at fault for the opening goal, as he stepped too far forward and left Ake Loba unmarked inside the box.
Defensively, he made ten crucial clearances inside the box, including some vital headers from set-pieces, while also making two recoveries.
Laldinpuia – 6.5/10
Laldinpuia was once again very solid at the back for Chennaiyin FC against strong physical opponents like Ake Loba and David Lalhlansanga. He made five clearances, including one in the very first minute, while also producing a crucial block inside the box to deny East Bengal what looked like a certain goal.
He also made two recoveries, committed no fouls and was not dribbled past throughout the game. However, he made a late error, missing his header, which allowed David to score East Bengal’s third goal.
Namgyal Bhutia – 7/10
Namgyal Bhutia had very little to do defensively, as neither Rohit Danu nor Vishnu PV caused him much trouble down his flank. He won most of his duels and made two clearances and three recoveries.
Going forward, he created several crucial chances through his movement in the final third, while his set-piece deliveries were also threatening.
Ayush Chhetri – 6.5/10
Ayush Chhetri had a solid game in the middle of the park, although he took one touch too many in the build-up to the first goal conceded, with his mistake directly leading to the goal.
Apart from that error, he recorded 90% passing accuracy, won three duels and completed all his tackles. He also made five recoveries, three clearances and two interceptions.
Nikola Stojanovic – 7/10
Although Nikola Stojanovic’s involvement in attack was minimal compared to his previous games, he still managed to force Gill into making a big save, while his threat from set-pieces remained evident.
He recorded 85% passing accuracy, completed three long balls, won all his tackles and most of the duels he contested. His energy on the pitch and connection with the fans provided an additional boost for Chennaiyin FC.
Brison Fernandes – 9/10
Chennaiyin FC finally got a glimpse of what Brison Fernandes was signed for, as the former FC Goa academy player scored a brace and won the penalty that led to the Marina Machans’ third goal.
His first goal was a well-taken finish at the near post, while the second was even better. He beat his marker, Madih Talal, before curling the ball into the back of the net, giving Chungnunga no chance.
He consistently troubled Chungnunga down the left flank, giving the East Bengal defender very little room to deal with him.
Madih Talal – 8/10
Talal’s impact on the game was limited in terms of minutes, as he played just 35 minutes before being forced off with an injury. However, he was effective during that spell, creating four key chances, registering an assist and taking two shots.
Irfan Yadwad – 9/10
Two goals, two key chances created and one assist. It is fair to say Irfan Yadwad finally delivered in the final third after repeatedly getting into good goal scoring positions in the previous game against Kerala Blasters FC.
He assisted the opening goal before scoring the second and third with brilliant finishes. He attempted a total of nine shots and came close to completing his hat-trick with a low-driven effort in the second half.
Ramon Tanque – 8/10
Ramon Tanque, who has been criticised for creating chances for his wingers without scoring enough goals himself, delivered on both fronts today. He converted from the penalty spot to score his first goal and also set up Irfan Yadwad for one of his goals.
Apart from the goal and assist, he created two more chances and hit the woodwork during a quick transition, making a run in behind the opposition defence and beating the offside trap.
Substitutes
Hriata – 8/10
While it looked like a major blow for Chennaiyin FC when Madih Talal was forced off with an injury, Hriata came on and showed that he could perform at Talal’s level, if not better.
He provided the assist for Irfan’s opener after brilliantly controlling the ball inside the opposition box. He also won the ball back in the build-up to Irfan’s second goal, playing it to Ramon, who then provided the assist.
Bryce Miranda – 7/10
Coming on around the hour mark, Bryce Miranda had a great impact on the game through his actions in the final third. He created two big chances, with one directly resulting in a goal for the Marina Machans.
He also set up Prakadeswaran with a brilliant low cross across the face of goal, but the latter failed to convert the opportunity.
Prakadeswaran – 6/10
Prakadeswaran came on and made an immediate impact, forcing Prabhshukhan Gill into a reaction save within minutes of his introduction. He also completed a few take-ons and did brilliantly to set up Irfan for a potential hat-trick, only for the striker to blast his effort well over the crossbar.
Jiteshwor Singh – 6/10
Jiteshwor Singh was brought on for Ramon Tanque to press the opposition defence and force errors. He did get into some good attacking positions but failed to combine effectively with the likes of Irfan and Bryce.
Glan Martins – 6/10
Glan Martins had very little time on the pitch and was unable to complete a pass. However, he won his only attempted tackle and ground duel, doing his job perfectly during his brief appearance.
East Bengal FC Player Ratings (By Shyam)
Prabsukhan Gill 4/10
Conceding 5 in a game is never a good look but the goals definitely had more to do with the lapses of a defense completely obliterated and out of shape, than Gill.
He may have conceded five, but he saved six. One shudders to think what might have transpired had Gill made mistakes as well.
Chungnunga 4/10
It’s difficult to find kind words for East Bengal’s defenders today. Despite playing the most number of competitive games among all the ISL teams so far this season, the likes of Chungnunga showed none of the calmness and compactness that one expects from a seasoned defense.
Diego Zivulic 4/10
Zivulic, operating at the heart of the defense, visibly missed his usual partner, Anwar Ali. The most experienced player at the back, Zivulic failed, time and again, to keep his boys in shape.
The defensive line was truly embarrassing at some moments, while in the other moments it was largely absent. Nikola Stojanovic had a lot of fun today breaking down the defense with his delectably precise passes.
Sandip Mandi 3/10
One does feel for Sandip Mandi, who has to fill the heavy shoes of the ever-dependable Anwar Ali.
Mandi looked lost on a number of occasions as the likes of Irfan Yadwad and Brison Fernandes launched waves after waves of attacks.
Jay Gupta 3/10
A shocker from Jay Gupta today. He was caught bird watching in the fourth minute as Nikola Stojanovic and Ramon Tanque combined to exploit East Bengal’s left side. Gupta was nowhere near Irfan Yadwad who put in a cross that was finished off by Brison Fernandes.
Gupta also dived in the box mere moments later. Throughout the game, he kept committing forward and failing to track back.
Bipin Singh 3/10
Barely visible for the 45 minutes that he played, Antonio Habas had to take him off at halftime after a miserable display.
Jeakson Singh 4/10
Jeakson brought down the irrepressible Brison inside the box, just five minutes before half time, and Chennaiyin restored their two goal cushion from the spotkick.
He covered a lot of ground, but to no avail, conceding a number of fouls and a yellow card.
Mohammed Rashid 5/10
Rashid was his usual self in terms of his mobility across the pitch, marauding like the natural leader he is, but his defense let him down today.
He himself lost possession a shocking 21 times today, not able to bring any sense of momentum to the Red and Gold brigade’s movements.
PV Vishnu 4/10
Vishnu was marginally better than Bipin, but only marginally so. He took 3 shots, 2 of which were on target, but failed to convert.
Dani Ramirez 8/10
Dani Ramirez was his usual lively self and did not have a disastrous display, unlike the defenders. Assisted Loba brilliantly in the first half and got himself a goal from the spot in the second.
Ramirez’s quality is very obvious, which is a great sign for East Bengal. The midfield has to do a better job to calm down the game and feed him the ball, because it is Ramirez who can unlock opposition defenses.
Ake Loba 5/10
Ake Loba smashed in a terrific finish around the half hour mark to pull a goal back for East Bengal, after being set up brilliantly by Dani Ramirez.
However, other than the goal, Loba did not register any more shots, and failed to support the hardworking Ramirez.
Substitutes
Edmund Lalrindika 6/10
Edmund did well to help his team earn the penalty moments after coming on with a dribble. He did not manage a shot but seemed lively on occasion.
Rohit Danu 5/10
Replacing Bipin, Rohit managed to get 3 shots away, although he failed to score. He was definitely better than Bipin but could not make any impact with his chances.
David Lalhlansanga 7/10
David replaced Loba at the hour mark and did a much better job as a striker. He took his opportunity very well, slotting the ball into the bottom corner. He was pretty active around the box, and made runs into good positions.
Hardik Bhatt 5/10
Hardik Bhatt came on as a like for like change for Chungnunga and was nowhere to be seen when Irfan netted the fifth and final goal, veritably ending all East Bengal hopes of a comeback.
Rohit Kumar 7/10
Rohit replaced an exhausted Dani Ramirez in the 86th minute and produced a terrific assist for David, launching a Toni Kroos-like long pass from well inside his box, that the striker controlled and converted well.
What happened in the ISL 2026-27 clash, Chennaiyin FC vs East Bengal FC?
East Bengal FC suffered their first loss in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 this season at the hands of Chennaiyin FC by a score line of 5-3 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
Who scored the goals for Chennaiyin FC in their ISL match against East Bengal FC?
Brison Fernandes, Ramon Tanque & Irfan Yadwad scored a brace for Chennaiyin FC in their match against East Bengal FC.
Who scored the goals for East Bengal FC in their ISL match against Chennaiyin FC?
Ake Loba, Dani Ramirez & David Lalhansanga scored for East Bengal FC in their ISL match.
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