Chennaiyin made a flying start, taking the lead in just the fourth minute. Irfan Yadwad’s delivery from the right was cleverly left by Madih Talal for Brison Fernandes, who arrived in the box and finished from close range to put the hosts ahead. The early breakthrough gave the Marina Machans confidence, and they continued to take the game to their opponents. Ramon Tanque tested goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill from distance, while Nikola Stojanovic and Irfan also threatened as Chennaiyin looked to build on their advantage.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 18th minute through a moment of brilliance from Brison. Picking up the ball outside the box, the winger unleashed a superb curling effort that beat Gill and found the back of the net, completing a quick brace. Chennaiyin remained on the front foot, moving the ball forward with intent and creating further openings. Gill was called into action to deny Irfan and Stojanovic, while Madih Talal also came close to adding a third as the Marina Machans continued to put the East Bengal defence under pressure.
East Bengal pulled one back in the 29th minute through Aké Loba, but Chennaiyin did not allow the setback to disrupt their rhythm. The hosts continued to push forward in search of another goal, even after Madih Talal was forced off through injury in the 36th minute, with Lalhriatpuia Chawngthu coming on as his replacement. Their persistence paid off in the 41st minute when Brison Fernandes won a penalty after being fouled by Jeakson Singh. Ramon stepped up and confidently converted from the spot to restore Chennaiyin’s two-goal cushion and send the hosts into the break with a 3-1 lead.
East Bengal reduced the deficit once again shortly after the restart, with Dani Ramírez converting a penalty in the 47th minute following a handball in the box. Chennaiyin responded positively, immediately looking to re-establish their advantage. Brison came close to completing his hat-trick as the Marina Machans continued to threaten, before Irfan took centre stage with two goals in quick succession.
In the 60th minute, Lalhriatpuia Chawngthu played a precise ball into the box for Irfan, who kept his composure to finish and make it 4-2. The forward then completed his brace just seven minutes later, finding the net from close range after Ramon’s effort was saved by Gill. The two goals in quick succession restored Chennaiyin’s three-goal advantage and underlined their attacking threat throughout the contest. The Marina Machans continued to search for more, with Ramon striking the crossbar in the 74th minute as Chennaiyin came close to extending their lead further.
Chennaiyin maintained their attacking intent in the closing stages, with substitute S Prakadeswaran testing Gill and Irfan coming close to completing his hat-trick. East Bengal added a third goal through David Lalhlansanga in stoppage time, but the Marina Machans had done more than enough to secure a memorable 5-3 victory. It was a night of clinical finishing and attacking football for Chennaiyin, who recorded their first win of the campaign in emphatic fashion.
The Marina Machans will next face Punjab FC on November 21 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, as they look to carry forward the momentum from their impressive victory over East Bengal FC.
