Costa stunner saves Mumbai the blushes

Chennaiyin, coming into the match after two draws against Pune and Kerala, were desperate to grab three points and Mumbai were the perfect bait for the hungry blues. The two teams have played against each other four times and Mumbai have lost on all occasions however the fifth time proved different.

Chennaiyin had a chance to open the scoring in the 23rd minute when Mumbai defender Anwar Ali handled the ball just outside the box. Maurizio Peluso sent a scorcher towards the top left corner only for Mumbai goalkeeper Albino Gomes to time his jump to perfection and thwart the danger away. 

The Mumbai defenders couldn’t keep Peluso quiet as the Italian went on his job tirelessly however poor finishing did no good to his and the team’s efforts. Peluso lacked support from Thoi Singh, who had a disastrous first half, as he couldn’t put a foot right. He was substituted by Dudu Omagbemi at the break. 

The deadlock was broken by the home team in the 51st minute when Peluso took a corner on the right. The Italian sent the ball to Jeje Lalpekhlua who was at the near post and the Indian headed the ball between Gomes’ legs to put Chennai up. 

Chennaiyin could have doubled the lead in the 70th minute when Jeje set up Dudu with an excellent through ball from the right. The Nigerian took the ball on the run but could only find the Mumbai custodian Gomes coming off his line to make a sliding save. 

Mumbai stepped up the ante when it mattered as Costa cancelled out Jeje’s goal with a screamer. Mumbai’s Sony Norde passed the ball to Costa and the midfielder took a touch before unleashing a tracer bullet. Chennaiyin custodian Duwayne Kerr’s outstretched arms couldn’t be of any effect as the stadium and the Chennai bench were stunned in silence.