NorthEast United FC moved up four places to ninth in the Indian Super League after a convincing 4-1 win over Chennaiyin FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday. Spanish winger Jairo Samperio scored twice-an early strike in the fifth minute and a clinical finish at the break-to put the Highlanders firmly in control, and the victory marked back-to-back home wins following their 3-2 triumph over Inter Kashi on May 2.
Jairo opened the scoring with a left-footed finish after meeting a delivery from the lively Jithin MS down the left flank. He doubled his tally in first-half added time, capitalising on a misplaced back pass by Chennaiyin left-back Mandar Rao Desai and curling a right-footed effort that beat goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz and crashed in off the left upright.
The margin grew in the second half when Chennaiyin defender Laldinliana Renthlei inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, but Renthlei redeemed himself minutes later with a fine strike to reduce the deficit to 3-1. With Chennaiyin unable to recover, former Aizawl FC striker Lalbiakdika Vanlalvunga sealed the result in the dying minutes, firing a left-footed shot from inside the box that crossed the line after Nawaz spilled the effort.
NorthEast United now sit on 13 points from 12 matches with two games remaining, while Chennaiyin have nine points from 12 outings and the same number of fixtures left. Chennaiyin remain just above relegation-threatened Mohammedan Sporting Club, who have three points from 11 matches.
Despite enjoying less possession, NorthEast United’s purposeful forays into the Chennaiyin box paid dividends from the outset. The win gives the Highlanders momentum as they chase improved positioning in the ISL table while Chennaiyin will be looking to arrest a worrying dip as the season approaches its final stages.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/jairo-brace-powers-neufc-to-4-1-win-over-chennaiyin/articleshow/130997599.cms
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Publish Date: 2026-05-11 00:11:00
