I-League: Gordillo equaliser preserves Chennai City's unbeaten run

Chennai City maintained its healthy lead at the top of the I-League standings after it came from behind to snatch a point against Mohun Bagan.

Sony Norde's (R) stunning effort gave Mohun Bagan the lead against Chennai City FC.

Nestor Jesus Gordillo fetched a late equaliser to help Chennai City FC hold host Mohun Bagan to a 1-1 draw in a I-League fixture here at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.

The result ensured Chennai City continued its unbeaten run while snatching a point from Bagan to extend its lead in the current standings. Chennai City now has 17 points from seven matches while Mohun Bagan is eight points behind the table-topper from its six matches.

Unlike its previous performances, Chennai City could not be as dominant as Bagan produced a better display and secured the lead through Sony Norde in the early part of the second half. Refusing to be bogged down by a better performing host, Chennai City came alive in the final quarter of the action when it scored the equaliser through Gordillo and created at least two more chances that could have secured it the sixth win.

The host began on a strong note and created its first real chance in the 12th minute when Henry Kisseka set up Pintu Mahata with a nice pull-back at the centre of the Chennai City box. The Bagan attacker let fly a powerful right footer but the City goalkeeper Nauzet Garcia showed good anticipation in blocking the shot. Within a minute after this Omar El Husseiny was again located on the City goalmouth but the Egyptian midfielder could not control his shot, which went over.

Bagan realised the lead in the 50th minute when Norde capped a solo effort by finishing with a spectacular shot which saw the ball curling into the top corner past a hapless Garcia. Chennai City got its first clear opportunity in the 74th minute when midfielder Sandro Rodriguez saw his attempt come off the upright. Finally, Gordillo located the target in the 82nd minute when the winger collected a long floater from the center back Roberto Eslava and produced a clinical finish past the Bagan custodian Sankar Roy.

Encouraged by the equaliser Chennai City went in search for the winner but Edwin Vanspaul’s long-ranger off a clearance was saved by Roy in the 89th minute. Bagan survived the late onslaught when the upright came in the way again to block Sandro’s shot in the added minute.

The Result: Mohun Bagan 1 (Sony Norde 50) drew with Chennai City FC 1 (Nestor Jesus Gordillo 82)