Kerala Blasters remain winless in the Indian Super League (ISL) this year after suffering a third straight defeat.
Aakash Sangwan's 60th minute strike proved to be the difference as 10-man Chennaiyin edged the Blasters 1-0 in Chennai on Friday. Ankit Mukherjee was sent off for the home side in the 81st minute, but they held on to the lead.
Since the second phase of the ISL resumed in February after the league went into a period of break post-Christmas, the Blasters have lost all three matches that they have played.
After losing 1-2 away to Odisha FC, Ivan Vukomanovic's side lost 1-3 at home to Punjab FC.
Adding to the Blasters' difficult situation, goalkeeper Sachin Suresh suffered an injury. Coming out of his line to clear a cross directed towards Farukh Choudhary, Sachin ended up hurting his shoulder and had to be replaced with Karanjit Singh in the 37th minute.
The Blasters have already been affected by injuries to Adrian Luna and Kwame Peprah, which has cut down the dynamism of their frontline. The attacking unit spearheaded by Fedor Cernych and Ishan Pandita was unable to function in cohesion and barely troubled Chennaiyin.
Despite the defeat, the Blasters remain in the fourth position in the points table with 26 points. However, fifth-placed Mumbai City (25 points) have two matches in hand. The Blasters next place FC Goa at home on Sunday (Feb 25).
(With agency inputs)