Mumbai City FC go 5 points clear at the top the table ahead of the chasing pack as Mourtada Fall’s header stands out as the difference between both sides.
Debjit Majumdar started his 13th league game in a busy fashion as the islanders hit the ground running. In the 14th minute, Debjit Majumdar almost gifted Mumbai City FC a goal but Hugo Boumous was in no mood to take it as he missed an open goal.
Nevertheless, Sergio Lobera’s men eventually took the lead courtesy of Mourtada Fall’s header and Hugo Boumous’ sixth assist of the season following a corner on the lake end of the Tilak Maidan.
The Kolkata Giants created their first attempt on goal when Anthony Pilkington’s shot was saved by Amrinder following a free-kick in the 35th minute. In the dying minutes of the first half, Bipin Singh found Adam le Fondre from the left flank but the latter’s header went wide.
Both the sides took their time to settle in the second half but yet again it was Mourtada Fall who could have doubled the lead for the league leaders. Ahmed Jahouh chipped the ball past the defense that created a bit of gamble inside the box but Debjit did ever so well to deny Fall his second.
SC East Bengal kept on pushing bodies forward. Mourtada Fall’s clearance resulted in a corner and Anthony Pilkington’s delivery saw skipper Danny Fox missing the target by inches.
In the 74th minute, Bright Enobakhare beautifully set up an opportunity for Anthony Pilkington but the former Premier League star ended up with a disappointing finish. Narayan Das could have scored a screamer in his 100th Hero ISL appearance but his powerful shot cum cross went above the crossbar.
The Golden chance for the Hero ISL debutants came in when Aaron Halloway curled in a beautiful cross towards Harmanpreet as he was unmarked but the young lad ended up wasting ‘the chance’ of the game.
Robbie Fowler’s men dominated possesion in the closing stages of the game against the Islanders but the Equaliser that they were searching for never came. Hence, their 7 match undefeated run came to an end.
Hero of the Match – Mourtada Fall
Mourtada Fall loves scoring. The Senegalese centre back is the highest scoring defender in the history of the ISL. Fall made his presence felt all over the pitch and took home the Hero of the match award.
