ATK Mohun Bagan ended Bengaluru FC’s unbeaten start to Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 after a 1-0 win over the Blues at the Fatorda Stadium on Monday. David Williams scored the only goal of the match in the first half as the Kolkata giants moved level on points with table-topping Mumbai City FC in the standings.

• David Williams scored his first goal for ATK Mohun Bagan in the 33rd minute.
• Both sides had chances to score in the second half but couldn’t make the most of them.

ATK Mohun Bagan were dominant both in terms of possession and territory in the opening stages as Bengaluru looked content to sit back and launch probing balls forward. However, it was Bengaluru that registered the first shot of the match on target when Erik Paartalu’s header off a long ball forward was comfortably saved by ATK Mohun Bagan’s goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharja.

The Kolkata club’s first attempt on target came in the 22nd minute courtesy Manvir Singh, who fired a left-footed shot off a cross from the left into the hands of the goalkeeper. Sunil Chhetri then tested Arindam five minutes later with a long-range effort that took a slight deflection before going into the goalkeeper’s hands.

ATK Mohun Bagan, though, made their superiority early in the game count three minutes after the half hour mark thanks to a sensational strike by Williams. The Australian forward showed his technical prowess by controlling a long ball from Carl McHugh with a superb first touch before cutting onto his right foot near the edge of the box and firing a powerful shot past the goalkeeper. The Blues saw a bit more of the ball after falling behind but couldn’t create much as the Mariners went into the break with a 1-0 lead.

Williams was whiskers away from doubling ATK Mohun Bagan’s lead early in the second half when an attempt from just outside the box went inches wide of the target. Edu Garcia then shot from distance in the 52nd minute and forced Bengaluru’s goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu into making a regulation save.

Bengaluru looked most threatening from set-piece situations and introduced several fresh legs into the contest in search of an equaliser. Cleiton Silva had a big chance of levelling the score for Bengaluru in the 73rd minute when a cutback from the right found the Brazilian near the six-yard box. Silva’s shot, however, failed to test the goalkeeper to the disappointment of his teammates.

ATK Mohun Bagan could have extended their lead three minutes later when substitute Jayesh Rane played a delightful pass to find Manvir in space. The Indian striker unleashed a shot from a difficult angle that looked like it was heading into the goal but Gurpreet got his legs to the ball to make a crucial save.

The final 10 minutes of the game saw Bengaluru shade possession and push men forward in their bid for a late leveller. The Blues managed to get into ATK Mohun Bagan’s box on a few occasions but never really created any clear-cut openings as the Mariners defended resolutely to hold onto their lead and register another win.

Hero of the Match – David Williams

David Williams produced a superb performance for ATK Mohun Bagan and netted his first goal for the club during the win over Bengaluru. The Australian attacker netted an exquisite goal, and on another night could have scored more than just once. He also contributed defensively with two successful tackles and two blocks.

AWARDS

Club Award – ATK Mohun Bagan

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Carl McHugh (ATK Mohun Bagan)

Watch the Match Highlights here: