Chennaiyin took the lead twice, through Lallianzuala Chhangte (13’) and Rahim Ali (64’). However, a brace from Steinmann (59’ and 68’) saw Robbie Fowler’s side split honours in an exciting encounter. It was SCEB which started the game on a more aggressive note, winning a couple of corners in the first ten minutes. 

But an early goal for its opponent pegged them back. Slovak striker Jakub Sylvestr did the initial groundwork, recovering the ball and diverting it into the path of Chhangte with a deft touch. But from there, it was all Chhangte as he used his pace to stay ahead of the defenders in pursuit. 

So often this season, Chhangte has been guilty of getting into good positions and wasting them. But this time, his shot went under the onrushing Debjit Majumder and crept into goal. The strike destroyed whatever momentum East Bengal had built up. But it slowly started creating chances again as the game neared half-time. 

Around the half-hour mark, Jacques Maghoma found himself through on goal with Deepak Tangri trying to tussle him off the ball, but Chennaiyin keeper Vishal Kaith came out and got to it first. The shotstopper briefly lost control of the ball after Tangri clashed into him, but regained it before any damage was done. 

Seven minutes later, Mohammed Rafique wasted a golden opportunity to pull SCEB level. A long-ball from midfield found Rafique with only Kaith to beat. But the touch that he took to divert the ball past the keeper was too heavy and it allowed Tangri the time to slide in and put the ball out for a corner. The game caught fire around the hour mark with three goals coming in less than ten minutes. 

In the 59th minute, Steinmann powered a header past Kaith off a corner to drag East Bengal back on level terms. But five minutes later, Chennaiyin struck again. A defensive mistake from Bikash Jairu allowed Ali to score his second goal in as many matches. 

SCEB drew parity again, with Steinmann scoring his second of the night. Kaith’s punch off a header from Daniel Fox was weak and took the ball straight to Steinmann, whose shot bulged the net.