ATK Mohun Bagan went top of the 2020-21 Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) standings after a 1-0 win over Jamshedpur FC at the Fatorda Stadium on Sunday. Roy Krishna scored the winner for ATK Mohun Bagan in the 85th minute.

• Both teams struggled to create much and failed to break the deadlock in the first half.
• Roy Krishna scored the only goal of the match in the second period.

The opening period saw both sides struggle to stamp their authority on the game and create much in terms of openings to score from. ATK Mohun Bagan did edge the possession but like Jamshedpur, they couldn’t get a breakthrough or register any shots on target.

The closest either team came to scoring, in fact, came on the brink of halftime from an ATK Mohun Bagan corner. Marcelo Pereira whipped in a quality corner into a dangerous area, which needed a touch from an unmarked Sandesh Jhingan. Unfortunately for the Mariners, Jhingan failed to get his head on the ball as the chance went abegging and the teams went into the break with the game goalless.

The Kolkata giants upped the intensity in the second period and were getting into Jamshedpur’s box more frequently at the start of the half. The Mariners seemed likelier of the two sides to score as the half wore on and Krishna tested the Jamshedpur goalkeeper shortly after the hour mark. The Fijian controlled a pass into the box by Marcelo and then got his shot away to force TP Rehenesh into a save.

Jamshedpur to their credit continued to defend resolutely and made it hard for ATK Mohun Bagan’s players to have space and time near their box. Jhingan had another chance to score from a corner and give the Mariners the lead in the 77th minute. This time the Indian centre-back got his head to the ball at the far post but couldn’t hit the target.

Owen Coyle’s men then had their best opportunity of taking the lead three minutes later when Nerijus Valskis rose highest to meet a cross from the left and headed the ball goalwards to force a stunning save from ATK Mohun Bagan’s goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharja.

The Kolkata giants though showed why they are one of the front runners in the league by breaking the deadlock in the 85th minute. David Williams found Krishna with a wonderful pass beyond Jamshedpur’s defence and the Fijian did the rest with a clinical left-footed shot across the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

ATK Mohun Bagan looked to keep the ball and run down the clock after taking the lead and did so successfully by keeping the ball in the opposition territory. Jamshedpur had a freekick in injury time, but the Mariners’ wall stood firm as the Kolkata giants saw out the rest of the match relatively comfortably to reach the summit of the standings going past Mumbai City FC.

Hero of the Match – Roy Krishna

Roy Krishna proved to be the difference yet again after the Fijian’s goal in the 85th minute sealed maximum points for the Mariners and sent them to the league summit. It was the 13th goal of the season for Krishna, who also contributed defensively with a successful interception and a block.

Other Match Awards:

Club Award – ATK Mohun Bagan

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – David Williams (ATK Mohun Bagan)

Watch the Match Highlights here: