Mohun Bagan hammered East Bengal to retain bragging rights of the Kolkata Derby. Three first half goals by Jason Cummins, Liston Colaco and Dimitri Petratos was enough to secure 3 points. With this win the Green and Maroon brigade go on to take the top spot of the ISL Points Table.
Boasting with a string of wins, Mohun Bagan began the Kolkata Derby on a positive approach. The Mariners rallied to attack the arch rivals, giving no breathing space for the hosts. However two attacks were thwarted by offsides as East Bengal held a higher defensive line.
Come the 13th minute, East Bengal got a lifeline. After a reckless body charge by Vishal Kaith on Cleiton Silva, East Bengal got awarded a penalty. But Kaith stood strong against all odds. The Mohun Bagan custodian dived towards his left, full stretched to deny Cleiton Silva to take a 1-0 lead for the hosts.
For the first 15 minutes, Mohun Bagan continued to exert their dominance in the game. The Mariners continued to attack in barrages but failed to convert their chances.
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Mohun Bagan’s attack was finally rewarded with a well deserved goal right before the half hour mark. Joni Kauko played a forward ball to Sahal which was cleared by the East Bengal defense. Dimitri Petratos unleashed a low piledriver to the far corner of East Bengal. Prabhshukan Gill pushed the ball away from him only to find Jason Cummins hit the ball at the back of the net to take the lead for the Mariners.
The Mariner’s continued to attack and again were rewarded with a goal. But it fell in the path of Petratos who again unleashed a fine pass to Liston Colaco. The Goan forward with a deft touch put the ball into the back of the net much to the rejoice of the Mariners.
Dimitri Petratos finally scored to extend Mohun Bagan’s lead. The Green and Maroon brigade decided to attack from the left flank taking advantage of Lalchungnunga’s injury. Sahal laid out a clever through ball as Nandhakumar tripped a galloping Liston inside the box. Petratos fired down the middle as the ball hit the net despite a trailing left hand from a diving Prabhsukhan Gill.
Mohun Bagan remain undefeated Against East Bengal in ISL
Mohun Bagan started the second half equally well. Jason Cummins was denied a clear penalty but the Mariners continued to attack. Another through ball from Sahal found Cummins. The striker cleverly switched the ball to his right and unleashed a furious shot. But Gill with an diving save denied further blushes for the hosts.
East Bengal got a goal back in the 52th minute of the game, the first goal for Saul Crespo in ISL. A lofted ball from Cleiton Silva found Crespo inside the box. The Spaniard checked Subhasish Bose and unleashed a stunner to pull a goal back for the hosts. East Bengal continued to attack in flurry, but the Mariners stood firm to weather the storm.
Just past the hour mark, East Bengal got a chance to score their second goal of the game. A brilliant header from Cleiton Siva took the entire Bagan defense by surprise. But with lightning quick reflexes, Vishal Kaith dived to his left to deny a clear goal.
In the dying minutes of the game, PV Vishnu was denied a penalty. He in fact was flashed the yellow card for simulation. However, the slow motion replay showed it was in fact Abhishek who had fouled the East Bengal player.
Dimitri Petratos was adjudged as the Man of The Match. With this result, Mohun Bagan remains unbeaten by East Bengal in the ISL. Furthermore, Antonio Lopez Habas too remained unbeaten by his arch rivals side.
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Editors pick
