Mumbai City FC extended their unbeaten run in the Hero Indian Super League with a comfortable 3-1 win over Bengaluru FC at the Fatorda Stadium, Goa on Tuesday.
Goals from Mourtada Fall (9′), Bipin Singh (15′) and Bartholomew Ogbeche (84′) helped the Islanders remain unbeaten in their last eight games and climb to the top of the Hero ISL table.
Sunil Chhetri (79’) scored late but it wasn’t enough to rescue BFC, who have now suffered three straight league defeats for the first time ever.
Unlike BFC, Mumbai didn’t miss their chance and took the lead in the ninth minute. Bipin’s looped corner was headed across the goal by Hernan Santana. Fall leapt highest to nod the ball into the net. This was Fall’s tenth goal in the league — all of them headed — and he is just one goal away from equalling Chhetri’s record of 11 headed goals.
But it didn’t take long before the ball found the back of the net again. The second was a perfect team goal which saw Santana and Le Fondre combine to find Mandar Rao Dessai on the flank. The full-back whipped in a perfect cross for Bipin, who timed his run to get past his marker and score the team’s second goal.
Mumbai City were unlucky to concede a penalty in the 78th minute when Silva was challenged in the box by Fall. Though the Senegalese appeared to have won the ball, the referee pointed towards the spot. Chhetri kept his composure and scored.
Ogbeche scored the final goal In the 84th minute.