Eric Djemba-Djemba (L) and Pritam Kotal.Chennaiyin FC went top of the table in the Hero ISL after a win against FC Pune City gave them the required goals scored count to pip Atlético de Kolkata to the top spot. Pune were pressurized by the hosts early on and all throughout the first half, but held on to keep it 0-0 heading into the break. But the second half saw a flurry of goals, especially three in a space of eight minutes, and a goal in injury time from Jeje Lalpekhlua, which finally decided the outcome.This was Pune’s only second loss on the road, and their first since their defeat in Mumbai over a month ago to Mumbai City FC. Indiansuperleague.com caught up with Chennaiyin midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba and Pune City counterpart Pritam Kotal to get their thoughts on the game.This was Djemba-Djemba’s first game in front of the Chennai crowd, and the Cameroonian international found it difficult to contain his excitement after the game. “It’s very good. I’m very happy, because we won the game, and it’s my first game home. I feel so happy to get three points here.”This seemed a sweet victory for the southerners, considering they lost Elano and Gouramangi Singh early in the game to injury but still managed to bag all three points. “We lost key players, but we fought on, and our tactics also worked, so I’m glad” beamed Djemba-Djemba.Pritam Kotal, on the other hand conceded that his team did not perform up to the mark when it mattered. It resulted in it being a very tough match for Pune, and the 21-year old defender from West Bengal said, “It was their home ground and we had a very bad game today. It wasn’t like our game against Kolkata and I am very disappointed with our performance.”“We came back well, but then they suddenly scored again and that was a bit of an issue for us. But we will come back again. It was a big loss but that happens. If we had won today we would have gone to second. We will give it our best until the end of the competition.Pune lie fifth in the league table, level on points with Kerala Blasters and Mumbai City, but with a poorer goal difference compared to their rivals. They did take a while to hit top form, after a shaky start, but recent results gave Kotal confidence that his team could kick on despite the setback against Chennaiyin. “We didn’t have any rhythm in the start of the tournament. But now we are playing in rhythm and we will come back,” said the defender.Chennai play their first game as league-leaders away to Mumbai City FC on Sunday, the 23rd of Nov, while Pune continue on their travels, visiting FC Goa on Saturday.
