ISL 2015: Delhi grab their biggest win of the season against Pune
Goals from Adil Rami, Anas Edathodika and John Arne Riise provided Delhi Dynamos with a convincing 3-1 win over FC Pune City at New Delhi. With these three points, the home side go level on points with FC Goa at the top of the table while Pune drop down to fourth.
Delhi came out of the blocks all guns blazing and Adil Nabi tested the goalkeeper in the first minute of the match. Florent Malouda released Seminlen Doungel on the left wing and the pacy winger got past the fullback before drilling in a low cross. Nabi arrived at the far post, but his shot was kept out by Pune goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya.
Just two minutes later, Seminlen was set through on goal by Nabi, and the 21-year-old's shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Delhi were getting behind the Pune defence too easily, and Seminlen in particular was causing a lot of trouble with his electric pace.
Adil Nabi provided Delhi with a deserved lead in the 35th minute when he scored from a corner. Florent Malouda whipped in a vicious deliveryĀ at the near post. Arindam came out to punch the ball, but could not get through, with Robin Singh and couple of defenders blocking his way. The ball somehow reached Nabi at the far post, who managed to bundle it before Nicky Shorey could block him.
Just five minutes later, Delhi doubled their lead from another Malouda corner. Pune employed zonal marking and Edathodika was left free to meet the ball with a powerful header. The ball bounced off the turf and went over the top of the goalie in the Pune goal.
That goal shocked Pune back into life and Nicky Shorey created two golden opportunities before the end of the first half. A dangerous cross from the left back, in the 41st minute, was half cleared by the goalie, and the ball reached Wesley Verhoek at the edge of the box. The Dutchman tried his luck but his shot went over the bar.
Two minutes later, Shorey picked out Kalu Uche with another potent cross, but the striker's header was straight at the goalkeeper, who made an easy save.
Both teams went into the half-time break with Delhi comfortably in the lead at 2-0.
Seminlen came close to extending the lead straight after the second half started as Nabi provided another delightful pass. The forward, however, could only hit the post and Pune managed to escape.
In the 62nd minute, Florent Malouda went in with a vicious tackle on Pune midfielder Sushanth Mathew. The Indian had to be stretchered off the field, but Malouda somehow escaped with just a yellow card.
The Lions were awarded a late penalty in the second half when Pune defender Govin Singh brought down Adinga inside the box. Govin received his second yellow card of the match for that foul and with thatĀ his marching orders. John Arne Riise stepped up to take the resultant spot-kick and comfortably put it past the goalkeeper.
Adrian Mutu provided a late consolation for Pune when he converted a free-kick just before the final whistle was blown. The goal, however, remained only a consolation as Pune will now be left to wonder how they have slipped up from a wonderful start to the season.