Ten men, a lost lead and Pearson's late reprieve

Flashback · 13 and 16 December 2014 · ISL semi-final

Some nights you remember for the goals. The semi-final against Chennaiyin FC in December 2014 is remembered for how close it came to being thrown away.

The first leg was in Kochi on 13 December. More than 60,000 people were inside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, and they saw David James's side do almost everything right. Ishfaq Ahmed scored in the 27th minute. Iain Hume added a second two minutes later. In stoppage time Sushanth Mathew made it 3–0. A three-goal lead in the semi-final, for a club that had played its first league match only two months earlier.

Three days later, in Chennai, it all came apart.

Jamie McAllister was sent off in the first half for a second yellow card, and the Blasters had to defend the rest of the night with ten men. Mikaël Silvestre scored for Chennaiyin just before half-time. In the second half Sandesh Jhingan turned the ball into his own net. Then, in the 90th minute, Jeje Lalpekhlua scored the third. Three goals for Chennaiyin, 3–3 on aggregate, and extra time with a man fewer.

Chennaiyin had their own trouble. Marco Materazzi missed a penalty and was later sent off in extra time, which evened the numbers.

The goal that settled it came from Stephen Pearson, late in extra time. Chennaiyin won the night 3–1, but the Blasters went through 4–3 on aggregate, and the first season ended with a final.

It is still the best argument for a three-goal lead. You may need all of it.

Written by the footballkerala.com desk with AI help, from the published sources listed here, and checked by an editor. Sources: Indian Super League (first leg, second leg), Onmanorama, MyKhel, Gulf News, Wikipedia (2014 Kerala Blasters FC season).