Bengaluru FC beat Jamshedpur FC 2-0 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday to secure top spot in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18. Miku scored the first goal from the spot in the 23^rd minute before Sunil Chhetri netted a second four minutes after the half-hour mark.

The first chance of the game went to Bengaluru after Toni Dovale put Miku through on the right. Miku squared the ball into the box but Chhetri couldn’t get a touch on the ball. Udanta Singh then provided a beautiful cross for Miku to attack with the goalkeeper not in the best of positions. The Venezuelan though headed off target much to Jamshedpur’s relief.

When Bengaluru did break the deadlock, it was from the penalty spot after Subrata Paul brought down Miku in the box. The Venezuelan went on to take the penalty himself and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 1-0.

The Blues doubled their lead in the 34^th minute thanks to a brilliantly taken corner by Dimas Delgado. Chhetri outjumped Wellington Priori from the corner and produced a powerful header that made it 2-0 for Bengaluru.

Jamshedpur had an opportunity to pull one back five minutes before the half-time interval when Izu Azuka fired a low shot on target. His effort, however, was saved by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to ensure his side took a two-goal advantage into the break.

The second half witnessed Jamshedpur give it their all as they looked for a way back into the game. They forced Sandhu into a double save in the 47^th minute, first to deny Andre Bikey and then Jerry Mawihmingthanga, who the Indian custodian thwarted with a spectacular save.

Azuka then tried his luck two minutes later after connecting with a scissors kick to meet Yumnam Raju’s cross. The Nigerian connected with the ball but ended up rattling the crossbar to the disappointment of his teammates. He had another opportunity as the match approached the hour mark when he found the ball at his feet inside the penalty box. Azuka’s effort, however, failed to test the goalkeeper on this occasion.

The Nigerian had two more chances before the end of the contest. His first came from a free-kick and the second was from close range but both times his attempts failed to test the goalkeeper as Bengaluru solidified their top spot with a comfortable win.

MATCH AWARDS

Club Award: Bengaluru FC

Swift Limitless Player: Miku

DHL Winning Pass of the Match: Dimas Delgado

Amul Fittest Player: Sunil Chhetri

Emerging Player: Subhasish Bose

Hero of the Match: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

Watch the match highlights here: