Steinmann unlikely hero as EB rally twice to hold Chennaiyin

GOA: German midfielder Matti Steinmann emerged an unlikely hero for SC East Bengal as the Kolkata side rallied to a draw 2-2 against Chennaiyin FC in the Hero Indian Super League here on Saturday. Chennaiyin took the lead twice, through Lallianzuala Chhangte (13’) and Rahim Ali (64’). However, a brace from Matti Steinmann (59’ and 68’) saw Robbie Fowler’s side split the honours in an exciting encounter.

It was East Bengal who started the game on a more aggressive note, winning a couple of corners in the first 10 minutes. But an early goal for their opponents pegged them back. Slovak striker Jakub Sylvestr did the groundwork, recovering the ball and diverting it into the path of Chhangte with a deft touch. But from there, it was Chhangte all the way as he used his pace to stay ahead of the defenders.

So often this season, Chhangte has been guilty of getting into good positions and wasting them. But this time, his shot went under the onrushing Debjit Majumder and into goal.

The goal destroyed EB’s early built up. But they slowly started creating chances again as the game neared half time.

The game entered a phase of blistering pace around the hour mark with three goals coming in less than 10 minutes. In the 59th minute, Steinmann powered a header past Kaith off a corner to bring EB back on level terms. Five minutes later, Chennaiyin struck again. A defensive mistake from Bikash Jairu allowed Ali to score his second goal in as many matches.

It was East Bengal who drew parity again with Steinmann scoring his second of the night. Kaith’s punch off a header from Daniel Fox’s header was weak and took the ball straight to Steinmann, whose shot bulged the net.

Vardy’s equaliser ends Utd’s away winning run LEICESTER: Jamie Vardy struck the equaliser as Leicester City came back twice to end Manchester United’s away winning streak in the Premier League with a 2-2 draw at the King Power stadium on Saturday.

Marcus Rashford put United ahead in the 23rd minute with a cool finish after being slipped in by Bruno Fernandes before Harvey Barnes equalised eight minutes later with a fine shot from the edge of the box.

Fernandes restored United’s lead in the 79th minute, drilling into the bottom corner after being found inside the area by substitute Edinson Cavani.

Again though, the lead was short-lived as Vardy’s first time shot on the half-turn from a low cross from Ayoze Perez, earned a point for the Foxes.

United, who had won their last ten away games in the Premier League, stay third on 27 points, a point behind secondplaced Leicester.

Liverpool, who host West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, are top of the standings on 31 points.