Chennaiyin FC Run Riot Against Defending Champions East Bengal in 5-3 Thriller; Brison, Yadwad Score Brace

Chennaiyin FC announced themselves in emphatic fashion in the 2026-27 MG Indian Super League (ISL), registering their first victory of the season with a thrilling 5-3 win over defending champions East Bengal FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. 

In an eight-goal encounter, Brison Fernandes and Irfan Yadwad scored twice each, while Ramon Tanque added another as the hosts handed East Bengal their first defeat of the league campaign.

The result was particularly significant for Chennaiyin, who had been searching for their first three points of the season. Against a side that had conceded just once in its previous league fixtures, the Marina Machans produced an outstanding attacking performance, exploiting spaces in the East Bengal defence and maintaining their attacking intent throughout the contest.

Chennaiyin could hardly have asked for a better start. Fernandes opened the scoring in just the fourth minute, finishing clinically with his right foot after being set up by Yadwad. The early goal gave the hosts confidence and immediately put East Bengal under pressure.

The attacking combination proved effective again in the 18th minute. Fernandes produced a delightful finish to beat goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill, completing his brace inside the opening 20 minutes and giving Chennaiyin a commanding 2-0 advantage.

East Bengal, however, responded in the 29th minute through Aké Loba. The forward found the back of the net with a right-footed strike, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and offering the defending champions a route back into the contest.

Chennaiyin ensured they went into the interval with a two-goal cushion. Ramon Tanque converted a penalty in the 41st minute, restoring the hosts' advantage and making it 3-1 at half-time.

East Bengal Fight Back but Yadwad Takes Control

The second half began with East Bengal attempting to rebuild their momentum. Their opportunity arrived in the 47th minute when a handball by Muhammed Saheef resulted in a penalty for the visitors.

Dani Ramírez stepped up and converted from the spot, bringing East Bengal within a goal at 3-2. With more than 40 minutes remaining, the defending champions appeared to have given themselves a realistic opportunity to salvage something from the fixture.

However, Chennaiyin responded at precisely the right moment. Yadwad found the net just before the hour mark, restoring the two-goal advantage and shifting the momentum firmly back towards the home side.

The forward then delivered another decisive contribution in the 67th minute. Set up by Tanque, Yadwad completed his brace to make it 5-2, effectively putting the contest beyond East Bengal's reach.

The combination of Yadwad and Tanque proved particularly influential, with both players contributing directly to Chennaiyin's attacking output.

East Bengal continued to push despite the three-goal deficit and managed to find the net once more in stoppage time. David Lalhlansanga scored, with Hardik Bhatt providing the assist, to reduce the margin to 5-3.

It was, however, too late to change the outcome. Chennaiyin held on to secure a memorable victory in front of their home supporters.

Beyond the three points, the manner of the victory will provide Chennaiyin with considerable encouragement for the remainder of the campaign. Scoring five goals against the defending champions represents a significant attacking statement, particularly against an East Bengal side that had demonstrated considerable defensive discipline earlier in the season.

Fernandes' early double established the foundation for the victory, while Yadwad's second-half brace ensured Chennaiyin maintained control when East Bengal threatened to make a comeback. Tanque's penalty and his assist for Yadwad further underlined his contribution to the attacking performance.

For East Bengal, the defeat represents a reality check. Head coach Antonio Lopez Habas will be particularly concerned by the defensive vulnerabilities exposed in Chennai. Having conceded just one goal before this fixture, shipping five in a single match is a substantial setback for the defending champions.

The three goals scored by East Bengal demonstrate that their attacking threat remained intact, but their inability to contain Chennaiyin's forward line ultimately proved decisive.

Chennaiyin will now look to build on this performance and carry the attacking momentum into their upcoming fixtures. For East Bengal, the priority will be to regroup, address the defensive issues and ensure that this defeat does not disrupt their early-season campaign.

An eight-goal spectacle delivered Chennaiyin their first win of the 2026-27 season and handed East Bengal their first league defeat. More importantly, it demonstrated that Chennaiyin possess the attacking firepower to challenge even the strongest sides in the competition.