Kolkata: East Bengal ends Mohun Bagan’s unbeaten run in the Kolkata derby as they defeated the Mariners by 3-2 to come back strongly into the title race.
Mohun Bagan took the lead in the 13th minute of the game. Azharuddin Mallick scored the goal the goal for the Mariners. Omar dribbled past Chullova from the left flank and sent a low cross which Azharuddin tapped in.
East Bengal equalized immediately in the 17th minute with a ‘controversial’ goal, which could have been ruled ‘offside’ as well as it seemed. It was Danmawia Ralte who scored for East Bengal, which happened to be the second time in a row when he found the scoresheet against the Bagan brigade. Jobby Justin sent a through ball for Ralte inside the box and he found the back of the net in complete ease.
East Bengal took the lead in an emphatic fashion in the 44th minute of the game. Jobby Justin scored a stunner with a sublime side volley. Manoj sent a cross from the left and Danmawia’s lay-off went to Jobby who scored with a stunning side volley.
The second half started eventfully as both the teams were trying to score a goal. The referee gave marching orders to Bagan’s Nigerian defender Eze Kingsley with a second yellow in the 59th minute for another rash foul.
East Bengal made it difficult for Mohun Bagan to make a comeback into the game in the 62nd minute to make it 3-1. Danmawia scored from Lalrindika Ralte’s free-kick. Didika curled a free-kick from the right flank and Danmawia connected his head to the ball. Sankar Roy initially saved the ball but Danmawia tapped the ball into the net from the rebound.
Dipanda pulled one back for Mohun Bagan in the 74th minute. Bagui sent a cross inside the box and Borja Gomez headed the ball out. Dipanda collected it at the edge of the box and found the back of the net with a superb shot.
East Bengal could have made it 4-2 in the 86th minute. Jobby Justin went past Gurjinder Kumar and ran down the middle of the pitch but failed to score from a one on one situation.
The game would be remembered for many reasons, Jaime Santos Colado’ fantastic debut, Mohun Bagan’s terrific fight till the end despite being down to ten men and of course some controversial referring by Venkatesh. This happens to be Mohun Bagan’s first away defeat in the I-League since 22nd April, 2017, when they lost to Aizawl FC.