Guwahati: Chennaiyin FC turned in a breathtaking performance to beat NorthEast United FC 7-3 in the Indian Super League here on Saturday.
Midfielder Abdenasser El Khayati pulled all the strings for the Marina Machans, with a hat-trick and two assists, to set a new ISL record for most goals scored in a match.
El Khayati opened the scoring in the match, putting his team up 1–0 in the 11th minute before the Highlanders equalised, then sealed his hat-trick with goals either side of the half-time signal.
Petar Sliskovic also played a fine game for Chennaiyin FC with a brace, with one of his goals set up by El Khayati.
Julius Duker was the other beneficiary of El Khayati’s stellar display, scoring a goal in the 68th minute to round off an almost perfect attacking performance.
Joe Zoherliana (79th) had a night to forget as he put the ball into his own net to give Chennaiyin FC their seventh goal of the night.
Vincenzo Annese, the new head coach of NorthEast United FC, took charge of his team for the first time after the departure of Marco Balbul.
It was a rough start to his time at the helm, but there were some positives that we were able to take from the game. Wilmar Gil Jordan was on target for NorthEast United FC from the penalty spot and Romain Philippoteaux hit a great volley in the second half.
Rochharzela added another goal for the Highlanders five minutes into stoppage time. But in the end it all came too late.
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The win keeps Chennaiyin FC in seventh place. They will next host Kerala Blasters on December 19.
NorthEast United remain bottom of the table with zero points from nine games. They travel to play against FC Goa on December 17.
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