Mumbai City FC registered their second win in Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 following a 3-0 triumph over SC East Bengal at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Tuesday. Adam le Fondre opened the scoring in the first half and doubled Mumbai’s advantage from the penalty spot in the 48th minute. Hernan Santana scored the Islanders’ third 10 minutes later to secure maximum points for his team.

• Adam le Fondre gave Mumbai the lead with a lightning fast counter in the 20th minute.
• Le Fondre doubled Mumbai’s advantage from the spot early in the second half.
• Hernan Santana scored the Islanders’ third following a well-worked freekick.

SC East Bengal suffered an early setback after skipper Daniel Fox had to be replaced due to injury seven minutes into the game. Mumbai had a big chance to score two minutes later when le Fondre received a ball from the left inside the box before laying it off for Hugo Boumous, who forced Debjit Majumder into a stunning save.

The Kolkata giants had to wait till the 15th minute to test Mumbai’s goalkeeper Amrinder Singh courtesy of a shot from range by Jacques Maghoma, which was saved easily. Substitute Mohammed Rafique, who had replaced Fox, did better with his shot from distance a few minutes later. He forced Amrinder into making a diving save at full-stretch and conceding a corner.

The corner, though, worked out better for Mumbai than SC East Bengal as Rowllin Borges ended up launching a quick counter from it that finished with the Islanders taking the lead in the 20th minute. After successfully defending the initial corner, an exquisite diagonal pass by Borges from near his own penalty area found Boumous, who carried the ball forward and left two defenders in his wake before squaring it for le Fondre to tap in.

The goal lifted Mumbai’s confidence as they began to control the game and play with the flamboyance expected of Sergio Lobera’s team. However, they couldn’t quite create any further clear-cut chances to score from before halftime as the Islanders went into the break with a 1-0 lead.

Mumbai doubled their lead three minutes into the second period and once again it was the Boumous and le Fondre combination that did the damage. After a line-breaking Ahmed Jahouh pass made its way to Boumous, the 25-year-old playmaker carried the ball into the penalty box and was brought down by Debjit. The referee pointed to the spot and le Fondre stepped up to dispatch the penalty and make it 2-0 for Mumbai.

The Islanders scored their third of the match two minutes before the hour mark thanks to a smartly worked freekick. A well-executed freekick from near the halfway line by Jahouh found Boumous, who crossed it across the penalty box for Santana to finish first-time and make it 3-0.

SC East Bengal tried to muster a strong response but found it difficult with Mumbai dominating possession. The Islanders maintained their superiority in possession for the rest of the game and could have even added more goals through the likes of Bipin Singh and substitute Bartholomew Ogbeche.

The Kolkata giants could have also scored a late consolation goal but substitute Jeje Lalpekhlua’s attempt on goal in injury time was blocked as SC East Bengal’s search for a first league goal and win continued, while Mumbai made it consecutive wins to move up the standings.

Hero of the Match – Hugo Boumous

Hugo Boumous was a constant threat throughout his 82 minutes on the pitch. Involved in all three goals for Mumbai, Boumous provided two assists and won the penalty for Adam le Fondre’s second goal en-route to being declared the Hero of the Match. Boumous also his took his assist tally in Hero ISL to 19, a record in the league. Marcelo Pereira previously held the distinction.

AWARDS

Club Award – Mumbai City FC

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Hugo Boumous (Mumbai City FC)

Watch the Match Highlights here: