Nikolaos scores the match winner

An early goal by Nikolaos Karelis powered Mumbai City FC narrow 1-0 win against Chennaiyin FC at the Mumbai Football Arena (MFA) in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25. The crucial win ensured the host team leap forward three places from the seventh place in the points table, accumulating 20 points from 12 games with five victories and draws each.

The defending ISL champions Mumbai City dictated proceedings from the onset, pushing numbers ahead and employing a variety of options to dissect the Chennaiyin FC defence. Skipper Lallianzuala Chhangte came inwards on the centre to play a short pass to Yoell van Nieff, who took the onus and stormed down the middle to launch a shot from the outside of the box. The shot was, however, not intercepted in time by Ryan Edwards and Nikolaos Karelis lapped upon the loose ball to slot it into the bottom right corner from his left foot in the eighth minute of the match.

Six minutes later, Karelis was again at the centre of the action, spearheading an offensive move and setting up the final delivery for Vikram Partap Singh, which the latter shot off target on the left side. Just before the 20th minute mark, Lukas Brambilla tried to pull one back for Marina Machans, interlinking with Kiyan Nassiri and receiving the ball on the left side of the 18-yard box. Brambilla’s shot was saved by Mumbai City FC goalkeeper TP Rehenesh.

Brambilla stayed on the hunt for a goal, taking a close-range shot in the 34th minute. He started the move on the inside channel of the left flank, passing it to Jitendra Singh, who relayed the ball back to the Brazilian. The attacker’s shot was blocked in time by Tiri, enabling the home team to stay afloat with their slender lead.

Contrary to the first half, Chennaiyin FC commenced the second essay on the front foot. Daniel Chima Chukwu assumed a freer role in the frontline, stretching the Mumbai City FC backline wide by moving to the left flank. He then put in a quick cross for Irfan Yadwad, who rushed in with a diving header, but the ball ricocheted off the crossbar in the 48th minute. Lalrinliana Hnamte pounced upon the ball from the outside of the box, launching a long-range effort but it was warded off as van Nieff put his body on the line to stop the shot from troubling the goalkeeper.

Chhangte tried to regain some of that losing momentum in the 54th minute, as he tested his luck from distance with an accurate shot from the left side that was eventually saved by Nawaz in the bottom right corner. The duo of Daniel and Irfan yet again teased the Mumbai City FC backline with a cohesive move in the 70th minute. The latter’s cross was nodded on target by the striker, but Rehenesh made a timely save in the bottom left corner, paving the way for the Islanders to see off the rest of the game comfortably and notch all three points.

Nikolaos Karelis who completed 11 out of his 15 attempted passes, making one clearance, creating two goal-scoring opportunities, and scoring the only goal was named the Key performer of the Match.

The Islanders who secured their fourth consecutive clean sheet in the competition following their win will take on NorthEast United FC in their next match on 30 December, whereas Chennaiyin FC who failed to find the back of the net for the third time in a row will be play against former champions Bengaluru FC on 28 December.

Result:

Mumbai City FC 1 (Nikolaos Karelis 8’) beat Chennaiyin FC 0. (HT 1-0)

Photo Above: Nikolaos Karelis winning strike ensured Mumbai City FC second straight win at home and seasons best fourth place in the ISL league table at the end of their 12th match