Play-by-Play: Kerala Blasters end 7-game win drought, beat Mumbai City by a solitary goal

KERALA BLASTERS BROKE an eleven month, 7 game win drought by defeating Mumbai City 1-0 at Kochi.

Starting the game with a strengthened defence that included 3 foreigners at the back, Kerala Blasters were fluid from the get go and they were creating many chances. Mumbai City, who left Sony Norde on the bench and started with Sehnaj and Boithang Haokip supporting Defederico up front, were not as threatening.

KBFC created more chances but could not find the goal in the first half. Just near the hour mark, a through ball by Belfort found Michael Chopra at the goalmouth. The British striker was left onside by a Mumbai City defender near the wing, and all he had to do was to get past a helpless Volpato. The easy conversion was the first ever goal for Kerala Blasters in their ISL 2016 campaign.

Mumbai City got Norde in who created a few chances, including one where he had beaten Jhingan and shot at goal but Kerala's marquee defender Aaron Hughes swung a foot and it almost miraculously send the ball out. the home team survived.

As the tide seemed to be turning in Mumbai's favour, KBFC held their own and slowed down the game to grind through and get the win.

With this win, Kerala have risen to the 5th place in the points table with 4 points from 4 games. Mumbai City are no longer front-runners, they are second with 7 points from 4 matches. 

Here's how the action unfolded throughout the game, including a video of the goal...