NorthEast United FC were made to work hard for their 2-0 win over struggling Delhi Dynamos FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday. The Highlanders scored two late goals after missing a raft of chances.

• The first half ended goalless with NorthEast missing a host of chances.
• Federico Gallego scored his second goal of the season in the 82^nd minute.
• Batholomew Ogbeche scored a second in extra-time as the Highlanders won 2-0.

Sitting six places above their opponents in the league table at the start of the match, NorthEast’s superior quality showed from the very first whistle as they almost took the lead six minutes in when Ogbeche’s steered effort hit the crossbar.

Scoring has been a problem for the Dynamos all season and so it proved in the first 45 as Josep Gombau’s men struggled in front of goal. NorthEast, on the other hand, did little to help themselves in what was a relatively quiet opening period.

With five minutes to half-time, NorthEast’s attack finally came into the game and created a decent opening for Rowllin Borges, who for all his neat footwork and silky control, couldn’t find the telling finish to score his second goal of the season. The visitors also had a penalty shout waved away by the referee in the first half after Ogbeche was blocked off by Marti Crespi.

The second half witnessed Gallego have a half-chance in the 62^nd minute, but the NorthEast forward’s strong strike was too close to Francisco Dorronsoro. For the hosts, Andrija Kaludjerovic’s lack of goals was one of the major concerns for Gombau going into the match. And when the Serbian did get his chance courtesy of a neat one-two with Marcos Tebar, Kaludjerovic’s shot was well blocked by a sturdy NorthEast defence.

Having created the better chances, the Highlanders finally got what they deserved eight minutes from full-time. Gallego’s clever dummy made the space he needed for him to cut inside on his right and unleash a thunderbolt of a strike at Dorronsoro’s near-post.

Into extra-time, the Highlanders doubled their advantage to round off a hard-earned win away from home. Gallego broke at pace before releasing Ogbeche, who made no mistake to score his sixth goal of the season and take his side to the summit of the league.

HERO OF THE MATCH -  Federico Gallego

The Uruguayan scored and later assisted Ogbeche to help his side climb to the top of the table. The midfielder also had four shots on goal, two of which were on target. His partnership with Ogbeche has worked wonders for Eelco Schattorie’s side and if he can maintain this standard, the Highlanders will be in with a real shot of making it far this campaign.

MATCH AWARDS

Club Award –  NorthEast United

Swift Limitless Player of the Match – Bartholomew Ogbeche

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Federico Gallego

ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Redeem Tlang

Hero of the Match - Federico Gallego

WHAT’S NEXT?

The Dynamos will be up against Cesar Ferrando’s Jamshedpur next on 4^th November, while the Highlanders will be hosting Mumbai City FC in their next match on November 9. 

Visit our videos section to view the match highlights and the photos section for exclusive images from the match.