The popular song Tubthumping by the British alternative music band Chumbawamba was played before the start of the match. Songs are often played at sporting venues and unless they are a part of figure skating, they are regarded with as much attention as they would be at malls.

But the Kerala Blasters played seemed to have internalised the lyrics of this song:  "I get knocked down/
But I get up again/ You're never gonna keep me down." They thumped NorthEast United FC by a three goal margin, a startling result considering their erstwhile wooden spoon status. In the context of the narrow point difference between teams in this year's Indian Super League, this does not look like an anomaly. The NorthEasterners themselves have blown hot and cold this season. Before today's 4-1 loss, they were on an unbeaten streak of three matches. Before that streak started, they had lost 5-1 to Mumbai FC.

Fastest ever goal

Their defence was at its worst in this match being repeatedly exposed by the likes of Josu and Antonio German. Kerala's Chris Dagnall scored the fastest ever goal of the ISL. He nicked in to score after 29 seconds. NorthEast scored through Velez, albeit 90 minutes later.

The lack of a defensive structure was the purported reason for their failing. Space an elusive quality for attackers in football was present in abundance for the Keralites and they made good on it -  Dangall got a brace, Calvin Lobo a goal and German another.

Space was there for NorthEast United FC as well. But they often played the ball in the middle where multiple Kerala players took turns to block any attempt. There was not much worthwhile activity in their wings.

Is change a constant?

Amidst the daily changes in the league table, one recurring motif is the hold up of play after a foul. After half an hour into the match, there was a foul. Players who were not involved in the foul got involved in a confrontation. After three minutes that involved the referee consulting the fourth official, no action was taken. No explanation was offered as to what transpired with the broadcasters not showing any repeat footage of the 'action'.

In the second half, NorthEast felt that they were denied several penalties. In the aftermath of one such penalty demand, a NorthEast player upended his opposite number. Cue a clash of raised arms. One wonders if football should learn from its cricketing counterpart in this regard. Arms might be better off being used as a part of an appeal system rather than the impeding system. That might slow down the play a bit but so do these clashes. The referees might be treated as scapegoats less often then.

The linesmen have it worse, being noticed primarily in case of off side decisions gone wrong. With regard to throw-ins, they also get a mouthful from aggrieved players. A NorthEast United player directed a torrent of abuse at a linesman for denying him a throw in. No caution was issued.

It is said that change occurs whether one wants it or not. One believes that for the good of the game, a more pro-active attitude should be taken up by the powers to be to effect changes such that the referees and the officials get empowered.