ISL: Rahul KP stars as Odisha thrash 10-man NE Utd 4-1

Two goals from Rahul K.P. saw Odisha FC register a comprehensive 4-1 victory over NorthEast United FC in Indian Super League 2025-26 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Friday.
Rahul handed Odisha an early lead before Macarton Nickson drew NorthEast United FC level, but debutant Subham Bhattacharya restored the advantage prior to the break. Highlanders right-back Muthu Mayakkannan was sent off in the first half. Rahul then added his second in the second half, before an own goal by Bekey Oram got Odisha its fourth goal.
The Juggernauts registered their first win of the campaign to move up to ninth in the standings with five points and two games in hand, while NorthEast United remained seventh with six points. Rahul was adjudged the Player of the Match for his brace.
Odisha made an early impact in the sixth minute following a defensive lapse from the host. Striker Rahim Ali’s pressure on NorthEast goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh worked as the ball fell kindly for the former, who sent it to Rahul to finish calmly.
The Highlanders responded immediately. In the 10th minute, Parthib Gogoi surged down the left flank and set up Macarton Nickson, who finished with a composed right-footed strike from inside the box to level the scores at 1-1.
Odisha regained the lead in the 24th minute through debutant Subham. From a corner delivered by Isak, Rahim flicked the ball into the danger area, where Subham reacted quickest to stab it into the bottom-right corner and make it 2-1.
NorthEast United’s challenge became tougher in the 36th minute when right-back Mayakkannan was shown a red card for a foul on Rahul. The host struggled to create clear openings thereafter as Odisha carried a 2-1 lead into the break. Rahul nearly added to his tally on the counter in the 52nd minute but failed to find a teammate with his final pass.
Odisha gradually grew into the game and capitalised on their numerical advantage. In the 65th minute, Rahul found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper following a fast break and finished confidently to extend the lead to 3-1.
The visitors added a fourth just three minutes later. A cross into the box by right back Vanlalzuidika found Rahim, and eventually Isak, who immediately smashed it into the goal. NorthEast midfielder Bekey tried to clear it but could only hit the roof of his own net, making it 4-1 in the 68th minute for the visitor.
Odisha continued to threaten, with Isak testing Gurmeet Singh from distance in the 72nd minute. NorthEast United attempted to respond late in the game, but Thoi Singh and Asheer Akhtar both missed the target with their efforts.