ISL 2021-22: Kerala Blasters go top of the table after win over Hyderabad

Kerala Blasters climbed to the top of the ISL table with a 1-0 victory over Hyderabad FC at Tilak Ground on Sunday.

Alvaro Vazquez (42') scored in the first half that ultimately proved to be the winner as Kerala extended their unbeaten streak to nine games, reaching the top of the points table with a better goal difference than Mumbai City FC. 17 points from 10 matches. Kerala has topped the ISL table at any stage of the season for the first time in the last seven years.

Hyderabad, on the other hand, saw the end of their eight-match unbeaten run and moved to the third position in the table with 16 points from 10 matches.

The game started from Hyderabad on the front foot. When Edu Garcia's free-kick was deflected over the crossbar by Prabhasukhan Gill, he had a chance to take the lead as the ball was skilfully swung over the wall.

Bartholomew Ogbeche was shown his fourth yellow card in the next minute for a challenge on Gil, meaning he would miss the next match.

After that bright start from Hyderabad, it was all Kerala.

Kattimani made a brilliant save in the 24th minute to smack a Jorge Diaz header from about five yards away.

Kerala continued to force the issue before Vazquez's delivery. A long throw-in met Sahal Abdul Samad, who flicked it behind and across the six yard box, where Vazquez hit a powerful volley on spin to defeat the keeper.

Hyderabad came close to Ogbeche at halftime but the Nigerian pulled a wide shot from an angle. In the second period, Hyderabad tried to advance, but failed to seize any real opportunities in front of the target except for one from substitute Javier Severio. His scuffed shot struck Gill, but not Kerala skipper Jessel Carnerio, who propelled his side with a goalline clearance.

After several stoppages, the referee played 12 minutes of extra time, but Kerala held on to win.