ISL: Chennaiyin record first win of season, beat Pune 4-2

Defending champions Chennaiyin FC tasted victory for the first time this season with a convincing 4-2 victory against FC Pune City in their Indian Super League (ISL) tie at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium here on Tuesday.

Ashique Kuruniyan's early goal in the ninth minute gave Pune the lead but a strong second-half from Chennaiyin allowed John Gregory's men to seal three points. Mailson Alves equalised with a header in the 53rd minute and Gregory Nelson completed the comeback two minutes later. Inigo Calderon and Thoi Singh helped the visitors increase their lead and Jonathan Vila's late goal was nothing more than a consolation, reports IANS.

Brazilian striker Marcelinho was given marching orders after a dangerous tackle on Germanpreet Singh as Pune ended the game with 10 men to compound interim coach Pradyum Reddy's woes since another striker, Diego Carlos de Oliveira, also remains suspended for another red card against FC Goa.

A tentative start by the defending champions was punished by Pune City less than 10 minutes into the match. An audacious cross-field diagonal ball by Robin Singh allowed Kuruniyan to race past Inigo Calderon on the left flank and beat Karanjit Singh from a tight angle inside the box.

John Gregory's men had the lion's share of the ball but struggled to create clearcut chances with it. The visitors were content to use the turnovers to good effect whenever they sensed an opportunity from them.