Chennaiyin FC ended their eight-game winless streak in the Indian Super League with a comfortable 2-0 win over East Bengal FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.

A Lalchungnunga own goal put the Marina Machans in front before Rahim Ali’s late goal managed to put them five points clear of East Bengal with two games to go. Chennaiyin FC came close to opening the scoring after only three minutes.

Akash Sangwan’s corner found its way through to Diagne, whose volley beat the defenders and goalkeeper before coming off the crossbar. Vincy Barretto had a few opportunities in the first half, first flashing Karikari’s low cross across the face of an empty goal minutes later.

Towards the end of the first half, he forced a save out of Kamaljit Singh at the near post after an amazing run. It took East Bengal FC halfan-hour to register their first real attempt of the match. Cleiton Silva, Jake Jervis, Naorem Singh and Suhair VP were all involved in a slick one-touch passing move in the final third before Suhair rippled the outside of the net. Minutes later, Jervis pounced on a long ball and fired it inches wide at the far post.

Chennaiyin FC took the lead in the 48th minute. A quickly taken Julius Duker free-kick came to Anirudh Thapa on the left flank. The midfielder’s cross was unwittingly slotted into the back of the net by Lalchungnunga.

Three minutes from time, Kamaljit came charging out of his box to try and beat Barretto to the ball. The winger stayed down as Rahim Ali pounced on it, and charged towards the goal before rounding the keeper and slotting it home