FC Pune City coach David Platt admitted following a narrow 1-0 win over NorthEast United FC that the encounter at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium on Friday could have gone either way. It was an own goal from Zohmingliana Ralte in the 73rd minute that took FC Pune City to the top of the league with two straight wins.

Addressing the media at the post-match conference, Platt praised his defenders and said: “I've seen 7-8 games now. We've been involved in two. Every game I've seen it’s tough for teams to defend. I think we could have conceded but we didn't. We defended well. And we got a goal. The game could have gone either way but I wouldn't say we were lucky.”

When asked if he thought his team dominated the opposition, Platt said: “No, we didn't. The game could have gone either way. First half, we created our own problems. We made strange decisions clearing the ball. It's going to be difficult to dominate possession. As I'm watching games, I'm starting to learn more about what is required. All games will be tight. Games swing. Our interest is to score more than the opposition.”

Before the game FC Pune City made five changes to their team from the last match against Mumbai City FC. Platt explained as to what led to those changes. “We have zero injuries at the moment. We believe that we have a big group of players that can play in the first XI. We believed it was important to introduce some fresh legs, hence the five changes. All five came in and did exceptionally well,” he said.

“We have an excellent team spirit since everyone knows they're important to the squad and are needed. We've still got four more players [untested]. Tonight it was important for us to get three points and we did. Our second half performance was like we did against Mumbai.”Platt also heaped praise on young Fanai Lalrempuia who impressed one and all and went on to win the ISL Emerging Player of the Match award. “He's excellent. He'd got to be more dynamic. He took 20 mins to grow into the game but his next 70 were amazing. He passed the ball and did things I'd asked him to do,” Platt said.

Despite two wins from two matches, Platt wasn’t complacent. “We sit top of the league. Unfortunately the league doesn't end today. 12 games left. All tough. All games have not looked one-sided so this means that the league will be tight but we've to be very focused,” he concluded.