Kerala Blasters 3-0 Chennaiyin: The Yellow Army charge back into the top 4

Pereyra Diaz scores a brace

It's the seventh clean sheet for Kerala Blasters this season

Kerala Blasters cruised past Chennaiyin with a 3-0 win in a 2021-22 Indian Super League (ISL) tie at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco on Saturday.

Jorge Pereyra (52', 55') claimed the opening two goals in quick succession before Adrian Luna joined on the scoresheet in the 90th minute.

The win takes the Blasters into fourth with 30 points from 18 games as Chennaiyin stay eighth with 20 points from 19 games.

We're in five minutes added time

Edwin OUT, Ninthoi IN

A direct free-kick by the Uruguyan has taken a deflection enough to take it past Kaith. 3-0 it is.

ISL

Vazquez OUT, Sipovic IN

Good vision by Luna to spot the run of Sahal in the box and a lovely backheel by Sahal to put Chencho with a chance on goal but the Bhutanese forward took a bit longer than he should have as Narayan puts in a crucial challenge. A little earlier Chencho did well on the left to almost set up Rahul KP in the box as Devrani intercepted the final pass.

Pereyra Diaz, Ayush OUT

Chencho, Rahul KP IN

Thapa OUT, Valskis IN

Stalin OUT, Sandeep IN

Germanpreet OUT, Pasha IN

A brilliant touch in the box by Vazquez for Stalin whose shot comes off the post but that's where Pereyra Diaz pounces on his opportunity to double his side's lead. All of a sudden now, Kerala are cruising.

It's the opener from a long lob in the area by Khabra with Luna heading it on to the run of Pereyra Diaz who has done well to turn Devrani and shoot past Gill to finally break the deadlock in the tie.

ISL

Sahal replaces Vincy for Kerala and Murzaev in for Jobby at the other end as the second half kicks off.

It's been a half of missed chances at the Maidan today evening as Jobby headed another one wide, this time from a bit of a distance, other than Stalin's shot blocked by Devrani at the other end. Both sides could have scored. Fair to say we can expect goals in the second half?

Jerry couldn't have done better to take on three yellow shirts and still put in a goalmouth cross to match the run of Jobby Justin who couldn't turn it in the Blasters goal. Minutes to the end of the first half.

Luna was quick to take the free-kick after Thapa fouled Ayush, as Vazquez took the ball wide on the right and put in right across the face of goal for Pereyra Diaz who missed from handshaking distance. Remarkable miss!

Jobby Justin headed wide from the face of the goal off a corner taken by Koman while Pereyra Diaz blasted another shot high and wide after another bit of combination play with Vazquez. Lukasz has been ruled off side for two good opportunities for Chennaiyin as well.

Jorge Pereyra Diaz's return from suspension in today's game is quite noticeable with him combining very well with Alvaro Vazquez, mostly, in attack. Vazquez's touch off his heel has set-up his team-mate but Pereyra Diaz is quickly closed down from taking a shot. The Argentine headed another one over earlier on and on the other end, Koman saw his free-kick come off the top right corner of the post.

Referee Pratik Mondal gets us underway at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco.

We have team news! 🗞️@HormipamRuivah, Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Vincy return to the starting XI to face CFC tonight 🟡🔵#KBFCCFC #YennumYellow #KBFC #കേരളബ്ലാസ്റ്റേഴ്സ് pic.twitter.com/YvKvOAB7g1

— Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) February 26, 2022

🗞️ Team news for #KBFCCFC

Jobby makes his first start for the club as Sabir Pasha makes 6️⃣ changes to the starting 1️⃣1️⃣.

Brought to you by @apollotyres#AllInForChennaiyin @apolloxsports pic.twitter.com/tzmNWCorgx

— Chennaiyin FC 🏆🏆 (@ChennaiyinFC) February 26, 2022

Just a point in their last two games has put Ivan Vukomanovic's men under pressure to pick a win against Chennaiyin tonight. Can Sabir Pasha's side cause an upset for the Blasters' race to the play-offs?

Welcome to GOAL's Live Blog of the first of today's Indian Super League (ISL) clashes.