Mumbai City FC extended their lead at the top of the 2020-21 Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) standings after a 1-0 win over ATK Mohun Bagan at the Fatorda Stadium on Monday. Bartholomew Ogbeche scored the only goal of the game in the 69th minute for the Islanders.

• Mumbai City dominated possession but couldn’t break the deadlock in the first half.
• Bartholomew Ogbeche scored for Mumbai City in the second half.

Mumbai City registered the first shot of the game on target in the 8th minute after a Hugo Boumous effort on the turn from inside the box was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper. Sergio Lobera’s men should have gone in front three minutes later when a threatening cross from the right towards the six-yard box took a touch off Ogbeche and forced Arindam Bhattacharja into a reflex save before ATK Mohun Bagan’s defenders cleared the danger.

The remainder of the half saw neither team create much in terms of chances. Mumbai City did dominate possession but found it hard to break down ATK Mohun Bagan’s organized and disciplined defence. The Islanders had an effort on goal in first half stoppage time through Bipin Singh but Pritam Kotal blocked the shot as the teams went into the break with the game goalless.

ATK Mohun Bagan registered the first shot of the second period on target eight minutes into the half after Edu Garcia tested Amrinder Singh in goal with a direct freekick. The Spaniard then struck the post five minutes later after a delightful pass by substitute Pronay Halder found Garcia, who carried the ball beyond Mumbai City’s last defender and beat the goalkeeper with his shot but not the frame of the goal.

The Kolkata giants would rue Garcia’s missed opportunity in the 69th minute when Boumous and Ogbeche combined to break the deadlock. After carrying the ball forward from midfield and playing a one-two near the edge of the penalty area, Boumous improvised with a delicate backheel inside the box to set up Ogbeche, who produced an unerring finish into the top right corner to make it 1-0 for Lobera’s men.

Substitute Adam le Fondre could have doubled the lead for the Islanders four minutes later when a counter-attack culminated with the ball breaking kindly for the Englishman in the box. Le Fondre got his shot away but Arindam got down quickly to make the save and deny Mumbai City.

ATK Mohun Bagan pushed forward in search of an equaliser and could have drawn level in the 82nd minute when a David Williams shot from inside the box was blocked in heroic fashion by Mourtada Fall. The Mariners produced a few shots on goal from the resulting corner as well, but Mumbai City managed to block the attempts and clear the danger.

The Mariners’ final chance of the match came in second half stoppage time. Garcia whipped in a corner into a dangerous area and found Tiri, whose header went wide of the target and allowed Mumbai City to hang on for the win.

Hero of the Match – Bartholomew Ogbeche

Bartholomew Ogbeche’s goal was ultimately the difference between the teams. The Nigerian striker was the Islanders’ biggest goal-threat and had three shots on goal against a well-drilled ATK Mohun Bagan defence.  

Other Match Awards

Club Award – Mumbai City FC

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Hugo Boumous

Watch the Match Highlights here: