ISL: Elano, Mendoza help Chennaiyin thrash Mumbai 5-1

Chennaiyin FC marquee player Elano Blumer and John Mendoza fired two goals each to steamroll a hapless Mumbai FC 5-1 and bounce back from their previous match defeat in the Hero Indian Super League in Chennai on Tuesday. 

Brazilian Elano, with his two goals (ninth and 69th minutes), became the highest goal scorer in the ISL. He was adjudged the hero of the match, while Colombian Mendoza scored the third and fourth goals in the 40th and 44th minute.

In between, India striker Jeje Lalpekhlua netted the second goal for Chennaiyin FC in the 26th minute. 

For Mumbai, Syed Rahim Nabi scored the consolation goal in the 87th minute following a corner kick. 

Elano, who found the target from the penalty spot and a free-kick, could have scored on two other occasions also. 

Chennaiyin FC manager-cum-player and 2006 World Cup winner Marco Materrazi took the field for the first time in the ISL and the home side was in control for most part of the match against the visitors, who lost their previous match at home to NorthEast United FC. 

With Materrazi coming out to the huge delight of the Chennai fans, the home side showed better co-ordination and cohesion in both attack and defence than against Delhi Dynamos, who had thrashed them 4-1 in their previous match in Delhi. 

India cricket captain and co-owner of Chennaiyin FC, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, celebrated each goal scored by his team. 

Former France and Chelsea star Nicholas Anelka's presence did not bring any change on the fortunes for the Mumbai side. They have now lost three matches out of the four they played so far. 

Anelka played for the first time for Mumbai City FC as he was serving a five-match ban by the Football Association in England for the quenelle gesture in December while playing for West Bromwich Albion in the English Premier League. 

Image: Chennai FC player Elano Blumer celebrates after scoring against Mumbai City FC during the Indian Super League match in Chennai on Tuesday.

Photo: PTI