Chennaiyin FC rode on a late strike from Daniel Chima Chukwu to edge past Punjab FC 2-1 in the Indian Super League in Chennai on Saturday.
Wilmar Jordan Gil gave the hosts an 18th minute lead from a spot kick before Punjab's Luka Majcen equalised in the 48th minute.
But it was Chukwu who broke Punjab hearts in the 84th minute scoring the winner.
Punjab remain on ninth position in the table with 24 points from 20 matches, while Chennaiyin are one place below with the same points from 21 matches.
Melroy Assisi conceded a penalty as the ball struck the defender's hand inside the box while trying to shield Jordan.
The Colombian striker made no mistake converting the resulting penalty.
Filip Mrzljak had a couple of chances to find the equaliser but the midfielder could not find the target before he was replaced after getting injured.
Punjab equalised three minutes into the second half with Luka finishing off a wonderful team move.
Asmir Suljic found Pulga Vidal at the end of the box and the Argentinian found Luka with a pinpoint pass inside the box which the Slovenian buried it past the goalkeeper.
Punjab kept on creating pressure on the home side but the final output was missing with the team unable to convert the chances.
The visitors were punished for those misses as Chennaiyin took the lead six minutes from time.
Substitutes Lukas Brambilla and Daniel Chima Chukwu combined as the former found Chukwu completely free inside the six-yard box which the striker poked inside the net.
Punjab pushed hard for the equaliser in the final minutes and the injury time but were thwarted twice by the goalkeeper.
There was also a goal line clearance from the Chennaiyin defence from a right footed effort by Vidal.
In the end, Chennaiyin somehow held on to the slender lead to earn three crucial points.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant register 3-0 win over Kerala Blasters
Jamie Maclaren struck twice as Mohun Bagan Super Giant strengthened their hold on the title with a clinical 3-0 win over Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.
Maclaren's (28' 40') two goals came in the first half, while Alberto Rodriguez (66') added another in the second half as the Mariners showed remarkable efficiency upfront to convert three out of their four on-target shots into goals.
MBSG thus continued to be placed atop the standings with 49 points from 21 games, 10 more than the second-positioned FC Goa, who have 39 points from 20 encounters.
Macleren found the first breakthrough of the match with a slick finish from close range. Liston Colaco's precisely squared-up delivery met the striker on the left side of the six-yard box and he comfortably hammered it into the high centre of the net in the 28th minute.
Twelve minutes later, Maclaren's striking partner Jason Cummings turned provider as the visitors moved forward with purpose.
Instead of opting to overpower Kerala Blasters FC within their box, Cummings chose to lay up a pass for Maclaren, who was at the top of his game again as his smooth pickup and eventual placement of the ball from distance into the centre of the goal doubled his team's lead.
Cummings thus became the third player to record an assist in three or more consecutive games for the Mariners after Dimitrios Petratos and Roy Krishna.
Manvir Singh then earned a free-kick in the 65th minute on the right flank and the Mariners produced a flurry of chances in the set-piece that followed.
Cummings tried a left-footed shot from distance but it was blocked, before Deepak Tangri and Alberto Rodriguez pounced upon the loose balls to muster up concrete efforts.
Eventually, Rodriguez latched the ball on the left side and slotted it into the centre of the net to find his team's third goal of the night, and seal three points in their favour.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant will next play against Odisha FC on February 23, whereas Kerala Blasters FC meet FC Goa on February 22.
© 2025