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PV Vishnu scored one and helped set up the other as East Bengal FC beat Kerala Blasters 2-1 in the 2024-25 Indian Super League.
East Bengal FC in action against Kerala Blasters (X)
East Bengal FC defeated Kerala Blasters 2-1 in the 2024-25 Indian Super League at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Friday.
Goals from PV Vishnu and Hijazi Maher were enough to survive Danish Farooq’s strike as the Torchbearers revenged their away loss.
Kerala Blasters started the game attackingly right from the kick-off. Noah Sadaoui and Adrian Luna looked lively on the left flank in the initial exchanges but it was East Bengal who registered the first shot on target in the 15th minute.
Naorem Mahesh’s intricate pass from the middle found Dimitrios Diamantakos in behind. Sachin Suresh though dove to his left to deflect the shot wide. Barely a minute later Cleiton Silva threatened to score but the goalkeeper stood his ground again.
East Bengal’s warning shots were getting closer and in the 20th minute, Cleiton Silva released PV Vishnu with a long-range diagonal from inside his half and that too under pressure. The Kerala-born East Bengal star, Vishnu, turned on the pace to prance past a defender and dinked the ball goal-ward. Sachin had rushed out to smother the effort and missed as Korou Singh ran after the ball to clear but left it too late as it trickled over the line and into the back of the net.
Cleiton could have doubled their lead in the 26th but his effort was a bit too high as replays showed that the keeper got a telling touch to push the shot over the crossbar.
Richard Celis too almost scored in the 36th when his long-ranger rattled the upright as Sachin stood dumbfounded in goal.
As for Kerala Blasters, Jesus Jimenez could have drawn the away side level going into the break but his headed effort bounced on the wrong side of the post.
The second half got off to a scrappy start. Either team did not want to concede early.
In the 57th minute, Freddy’s header sailed over the bar as he rushed into the box to meet Noah’s cross.
Kerala Blasters coach TG Purushothaman decided to go for an all-out attack, bringing on Kwame Peprah in place of Milos Drincic.
A melee broke out in the 70th minute after Celis attacked Luna, while the latter tried to take a free kick, prompting Sandeep to react. The dugouts too got involved as the referee flashed yellow cards for Celis and Sandeep.
East Bengal got their second in the 72nd. PV Vishnu did well to get a corner, which Mahesh sent in, was met by Hijazi Maher at the front post with a thundering header.
Hijazi was at the heart of the next goal too as Kerala Blasters pulled one back in the 84th minute. The Jordanian’s header was not strong enough as substitute Danish Farooq’s shot from the edge of the box rustled into the net.
Cleiton could have put the match beyond reach for the Blasters but missed the mark in stoppage time as East Bengal held on for the win.
