ISL: Jairo brace powers NEUFC to 4-1 win over Chennaiyin

NorthEast United FC registered a dominant 4-1 win over Chennaiyin FC to jump four places to ninth on the Indian Super League (ISL) table at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday. With the victory, NEUFC also secured back-to-back home wins following their hard-fought 3-2 triumph over Inter Kashi on May 2.
Spanish winger Jairo Samperio gave the Highlanders an early lead in the fifth minute before completing his brace on the stroke of half-time, helping the hosts take a comfortable 2-0 advantage into the break.
The margin widened midway through the second half when Chennaiyin defender Laldinliana Renthlei inadvertently turned the ball into his own net to the visitors’ misfortune. The Mizo side-back, however, made quick amends a few minutes later with a fine strike to reduce the deficit and make it 3-1.
With the result already beyond Chennaiyin’s reach, former Aizawl FC striker Lalbiakdika Vanlalvunga put the final nail in the coffin in the dying minutes, firing a left-footed effort from inside the box that crossed the goal line after goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz spilled it.
NorthEast United are now ninth with 13 points from 12 matches and have two games remaining. Chennaiyin, who sit just above relegation-threatened Mohammedan Sporting Club (three points from 11 matches), have nine points from 12 outings and two fixtures left to play.
Despite enjoying less possession than their opponents, NEUFC made purposeful forays into the Chennaiyin box from the outset. Their intent paid off as early as the fifth minute when Jairo struck a left-footed shot beyond Nawaz after meeting a delivery from the lively Jithin MS down the left flank.
The Spaniard doubled his tally in first-half added time following a defensive lapse by Chennaiyin left-back Mandar Rao Desai. Capitalising on Desai’s misplaced back pass outside the penalty area, Jairo finished clinically with his right foot from inside the box, his effort beating a fully stretched Nawaz to his right and crashing in off the left upright.