NorthEast United register emphatic win against Chennaiyin at home

Spanish winger Jairo Samperio scored a brace as NorthEast United FC delivered a commanding performance to register a 4-1 victory against Chennaiyin FC in their Indian Super League match here on Sunday. Samperio (5th and 45+1) starred with a first-half brace, while an own goal from Chennaiyin and a late strike from Lalbiakdika sealed an emphatic win for the Highlanders. Laldinliana R (81st) was the lone scorer for Chennaiyin. The result sees NorthEast United FC climb to ninth in the standings with 13 points from 12 matches, while Chennaiyin FC remain 13th with nine points from as many games, hovering just above the relegation zone. The match began at a brisk pace, with NorthEast earning back-to-back corners early on before Chennaiyin attempted to break on the counter. However, it was the hosts who struck first in the fifth minute through a well-orchestrated move. Goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh initiated the attack with a composed pass out from the back, and a swift transition saw Jithin MS deliver a precise cross into the box for Jairo Samperio, who calmly finished to put the Highlanders 1-0 up. NorthEast continued to threaten, with Tondonba Singh and Thoi Singh Huidrom, both attempting efforts from distance, while Chennaiyin gradually grew into the contest through spells of possession. Despite controlling large parts of the midfield, the visitors struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, with Gurmeet Singh largely untroubled. At the other end, NorthEast looked more incisive. Jairo and Andy Rodríguez forced saves from Mohammad Nawaz midway through the half, while Daniel Chima Chukwu came closest for Chennaiyin, only to be denied by Gurmeet. The hosts doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time. A defensive lapse from left back Mandar Rao Dessai allowed Jairo to capitalise, as he collected the loose ball and finished clinically into the far corner to make it 2-0 at the break. The Marina Machans emerged with renewed intent in the second half, with Lalrinliana Hnamte and Farukh Choudhary showing urgency in midfield. The visitors created a flurry of chances around the hour mark, but Gurmeet stood firm, making crucial saves to deny both Daniel Chima and Irfan Yadwad. As the game opened up, NorthEast capitalised once again in the 70th minute. A slick team move involving Macarton Nickson and Jithin MS led to a dangerous cutback, and in an attempt to intercept, Chennaiyin defender Laldinliana R inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, extending the lead to 3-0. Chennaiyin managed to pull one back in the 81st minute when Laldinliana redeemed himself with a well-taken finish following a smart build-up involving Alberto Noguera. However, any hopes of a comeback were short-lived. NorthEast wrapped up the contest in the 90th minute when substitute Lalbiakdika capitalised on a goalkeeping error, as Nawaz failed to deal with a powerful shot at the near post, allowing the ball to roll into the net.

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