Bengaluru beat Kerala in ISL tie

Kochi (Kerala), Dec 31: Bengaluru FC defeated Kerala Blasters FC 3-1 in an Indian Super League (ISL) match here on Sunday.

Sunil Chettri (60th minute) converted a penalty at the hour mark to open Bengaluru's account. Nicolás Ladislao Fedor Flores (90+3, 90+4) struck twice in the second half added time to round off the tally.

Courage Pekuson (90+6) managed a consolation goal for Kerala.

Bengaluru thus rose three spots to third on the league table with 15 points from eight matches.

They are on the same number of points as FC Pune City, but trail them on goal difference. League leaders Chennaiyin FC are on 16 points.

Kerala remain at the eighth spot on the 10-team table with seven points from seven matches.

The win takes Bengaluru FC to third position on the table and in touching distance of league leaders Chennaiyin FC.

Bengaluru could have easily put more goals past the hosts if not for some heroic goalkeeping by Subhasish Roy. He was called into action a number of times on either side of the break, and he kept his team in the contest.

Bengaluru were in complete control of the game right from the start. In the 35th minute, Roy was put to test by Chhetri but he did enough to palm the striker's fierce shot away.

At the other end, Kerala didn't have much going forward.

The second half began much like the first. Roy was again called into action to save another Chhetri effort in the 50th minute.

But ten minutes later, a hand-ball by Sandesh Jhingan gave Bengaluru a chance to take the lead from the spot. Chettri took the responsibility and this time Roy had no answers.

The game continued with Bengaluru looking more likely to score again than a reply from Kerala who were playing in front of their home supporters.

Then, later on, Miku got himself a double. The Spanish import's first goal came after a magnificent solo run from the midfield before putting it past Roy.

Barely a minute later, he got on to a cut back from Subasish Bose, who had done well to get inside the box after nutmegging Jhingan. Miku was left with a simple task of tapping the ball home, which he did with ease.

Kerala Blasters looked down and out and their supporters started to walk out after having seen enough. But there was still time for more drama as Pekuson grabbed a consolidatory goal for the home side after making a bursting run down the middle of the Bengaluru defence.