Full-time report: NorthEast United FC did well to stave off Jamshedpur FC at Guwahati's Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium to a 1-1 draw after going being reduced to 10 men at the stroke of half-time.
Things started brightly for NorthEast after in-form striker Bartholomew Ogbeche put the ahead in the 20th minute. The Nigerian striker capitalised on chaos inside the Jamshedpur box to skilfully make space for himself with a good first-touch then poke home his fifth goal of the season.
Ogbeche had an opportunity to double his team's lead in the 27th minute when Gallego sent in a fast longball inside the ball where the Nigerian helped the shot on its way but it narrowly missed the target.
Jamshedpur did grow into the game and especially dominated the play in the middle of the park but visibly lacked teeth in the final third.
The visitors receiving at the stroke of half-time when the referee brandished a straight red for Mislav Komorski who elbowed Carlos Calvo.
Jamshedpur did make their extra-man advantage count when they scored the equaliser in the 49th minute through Farukh Choudhary. The forward received a lovely delivery from the left and absolutely smashed it on the volley leaving Pawan Kumar with no chance.
Reduced to 10 men, NorthEast United FC retreated to defence and spent much of the second half in their own half clearing balls and crosses which Jamshedpur put in great number.
Jamshedpur couldn't create many clear-cut chances but came close to scoring their second goal in the 80th minute when Soosairaj was set free on goal on the left and he smashed the ball towards the goal but Pavan Kumar dived to his left to keep the shot out with the rebound falling for Cahill who was flagged offside.
NorthEast United made a rare foray into the Jamshedpur half, in teh 93rd minute. Gallego did well to get inside the box, hold the ball and pass it to Ogbeche who failed to get his shot going.
The draw takes NorthEast United FC to the top of the table as they now have eight points from four games after winning two and drawing the other two. Jamshedpur sit on the fourth spot with six points. They won their opener but have since drawn three matches on the trot.