Play-by-Play: Aizawl FC beat Chennai City, make history as first NE club to go top of the I-League table

A TIGHT CONTROL over the gameplay and a good goal by Brandon allowed Aizawl FC to sneak a 1-0 victory past Chennai City that has historic significance.

With this win, Aizawl have moved up to the top of the I-League table, with 23 points from 11 matches. This is the first time a club from North-East India is leading the league this long into the season.

The home team were creating chances from early on especially with Amnah, Rane and Lalramchullova running a 3 pronged attack attack that caught the Chennai City defence off balance time and again. But back to back great saves by Karanjit Singh kept the visitors level throughout the first half.

But near the hour mark, Aizawl were getting closer and closer. Laldanmawia with a tricky shot had Karanjit beaten but it came off the bar. Moments later Brandon got on the back of a sharp cross from the right and finished from close range.

Chennai City did try to make a comeback but they only managed to create a handful of chances. The best opportunity fell to Charles but he was denied by a superb tackle from Bayi.

The Peoples' Club held onto their lead and sealed the win to the delight of a sold out crowd. The club has played more games than their immediate title race rivals East Bengal and Mohun Bagan but their ferocious home run does establish them as a serious contender for the title. 

Meanwhile, Chennai City are on just 8 points from 11 matches, and despite playing not too bad in this game, this loss will mean a setback to their desperate and prolonged attempts to make a turnaround to their poor league form.

Here's how the game unfolded, narrated in detail through our live match updates...