With a 2-0 win over table-toppers FC Pune City in the 2015 Hero Indian Super League on Wednesday evening, Kerala Blasters FC have breathed some life into their campaign and head coach Terry Phelan’s joy knew no bounds. For only the second time this season the Blasters didn’t concede in a match and Phelan, who himself was a defender in his playing days, credited his backline for scripting their second win of the season after breath-taking goals from Chris Dagnall and Sanchez Watt.

“They did defend well…The boys played very well, put in a great effort towards defending. In football anybody can beat anybody on a given day but today was our day and the players fought well,” Phelan told reporters after the match.

With the win, Kerala moved one rung up to seventh and assistant coach Trevor Morgan hoped they had at last found the winning formula. “We certainly had to do something because we had to win games…Now we are a bit more attacking, and I feel we should have won the last two games. I think the boys played very well today, they were the good side today. We were creating a lot of opportunities and this time we were able to score,” Morgan said.

Kerala had a record 32 shots on goal in the match, however, they could hit the back of the net only twice. Phelan wasn’t too worried. “There were a lot of chances, yes... The important part is we are creating chances and if you're not creating chances then we have a problem, we've to keep the momentum going. The coaching staff and the players are aware of that, we are working on it,” Phelan said.

Morgan was effusive in praise of Watt who was adjudged Hero of the Match for his defining performance. “He wants to improve, he is quick and when he starts running he can cause problems. We don't want to give him a lot of defensive responsibilities…He can create chances and make things happen,” Morgan said.