The wait finally ended on Friday. After three unsuccessful attempts (one draw and two defeats), Chennaiyin FC tasted victory at home for the first time in the Indian Super League 2025-26 season, defeating SC Delhi 1-0 here.

At the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Farukh Choudhary’s razor-sharp strike in the 11th minute was enough to separate the teams.

The triumph was Chennaiyin’s (eight points from as many matches) first since the away win over Kerala Blasters FC on March 7, while Delhi’s (eight points from as many games) unbeaten streak was halted at four matches.

At the beginning of the contest, CFC did just what the doctor — head coach Clifford Miranda in this case — ordered with a dream start.

Receiving the pass laid to him by Alberto Noguera and making a foray into the box from the left, Farukh shot with his left foot from an extremely tight angle but managed to locate the top-right corner of the net.

Delhi goalkeeper Nora Fernandes, who did not expect the unexpected from the Indian forward, could only admire the ball go past him.

In the closing stages of the clash, the visitor came within inches of spoiling Chennaiyin’s mood as substitute Sourav’s strike went just wide of the far post.

In an otherwise disappointing evening for Delhi, Alex Saji stood tall — he denied Daniel Chima Chukwu with an impressive sliding block in the first half and later stopped Farukh’s lively run.

When the referee blew the final whistle, the CFC players and staff breathed a sigh of relief.

The result: Chennaiyin FC 1 (Farukh Choudhary 11) bt SC Delhi 0.