NorthEast United rout Kerala Blasters 4-1 to lead 2026-27 ISL standings

NorthEast United FC beat Kerala Blasters FC 4-1 in the 2026-27 Indian Super League on 18 October 2026, moving to the top of the points table. The Highlanders opened the scoring through captain Alaeddine Ajaraie and finished strongly with an 82nd-minute strike from Aman CK.

Ajaraie put NorthEast ahead with the opening goal before Antonio Moyano doubled the lead to leave the Highlanders 2-0 at half-time. Kerala Blasters pulled one back through Momo Yansané, assisted by Adrian Luna, but Ajaraie scored again in the 70th minute and Aman CK added a late fourth in the 82nd to complete the scoring.

Alaeddine Ajaraie produced a prominent attacking display, contributing a brace and an assist as NorthEast’s most influential player on the night. He received support from Jithin MS and the Spanish midfielder Miguel Ángel Moyano, whose movement and creativity helped repeatedly unsettle Kerala’s defenders.

The shooting statistics underlined the gap in finishing: Kerala registered 12 shots with four on target and converted one, while NorthEast produced 19 shots with nine on target and four goals. That disparity in accuracy and conversion proved decisive in the final scoreline.

Kerala’s midfield and defensive structure struggled to contain NorthEast’s quick transitions, with gaps between the lines allowing the Highlanders to launch dangerous attacks. The Blasters showed more urgency at times in the second half, but the team could not establish consistent control or protect its backline throughout the match.

There were individual positives for Kerala despite the defeat: Momo Yansané’s goal provided a notable attacking moment, and players such as Freddy Lallawmawma, Mohammed Sanan and Korou were identified in the report as important options for the squad. The article noted those contributions could form a basis for improvement if the team develops greater coordination and consistency.

For coach Ashley Westwood the defeat was framed as a learning opportunity, with the piece saying limited preparation time has left him still working to establish his preferred system and combinations. The report highlighted immediate areas for attention — defensive organisation, midfield discipline and decision-making in both penalty areas — and said the result emphasised the need to address those weaknesses quickly.

NorthEast United’s victory put them atop the ISL points table and left Alaeddine Ajaraie tied for the league lead in goals with Borja Martínez, Bipin Singh and Raphaël Messi Bouli, each credited with two goals so far in the competition.