ISL 2024-25: East Bengal gets back to winning ways against city-rival Mohammedan SC
ISL 2024-25: East Bengal gets back to winning ways against city-rival Mohammedan SC
East Bengal FC returned to winning ways by downing its city rival Mohammedan Sporting 3-1 in an Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 fixture at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Sunday.
Naorem Mahesh Singh found the net in the 27th minute to give the Torch Bearers an early lead, followed by a goal from substitute Saul Crespo. Mohammedan managed to pull one back through Carlos Franca, but David Lalhlansanga sealed the win for East Bengal with a late goal.
East Bengal dominated the first half, its efforts culminating in a stunning goal from Mahesh, who was found by P.V. Vishnu’s through-pass inside the MSC box. The winger then unleashed a powerful left-footed volley that beat goalkeeper Padam Chettri, who seemed to have charged out a bit too early.
Just when The Black Panthers appeared to be putting pressure for the equaliser after the break, EBFC doubled the lead in the 65th minute. East Bengal’s new Cameroonian forward Raphael Messi Bouli intercepted a pass in midfield and set up Spanish midfielder Saul Crespo, who chipped it over the Sporting goalkeeper Padam Chettri to put East Bengal in a comfortable position.
EBFC extended its lead to 2-0 in the 65th minute, just as The Black Panthers were pressing for an equaliser after the break. New Cameroonian striker Raphael Messi Bouli intercepted a pass in midfield and then set up Spanish midfielder Saul, who calmly chipped the ball over onrushing Padam.
MSC finally pulled one back in the three minutes later when Franca saw his effort from tight angle beating the opposition custodian Prabhsukhan Singh.
Mohammedan had a few more chances to find the equaliser but could not produce the desired finishing. The best opportunity came in the 77th minute when it failed to find the net with three successive opportunities. The move started with a long-range attempt by its Argentine midfielder Alexis Gomez which Prabhsukhan just managed to block. The ball remained in the East Bengal’s box allowing substitute Robi Hansda to try his luck. The ball hit the crossbar and fell kindly for Lalremsanga Fanai, whose acrobatic effort was saved on line by Anwar Ali.
On the other hand EBFC showed better application in the attacking third and found the net once again in the 89th minute through Messi Bouli’s replacement David to seal the match in its favour.
Despite the win East Bengal remained in the 11th spot with 21 points from 20 matches while Sporting continued at the bottom (13th place) with 11 from 20.
