Title contenders Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC and East Bengal, all featured twice in what was a pulsating week of the Hero I-League. Mohun Bagan’s hopes of retaining the title took a blow after a 2-2 draw away at Shillong Lajong FC and a 3-3 draw at home against the DSK Shivajians on Saturday. Goals from skipper Yusa Katsumi and Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin FC) almost handed the Mariners three points against Shillong before a late equaliser from the hosts stopped them in their tracks. Their 3-3 draw against DSK Shivajians saw a strike from Sony Norde of Mumbai City FC put the reigning champions 3-2 ahead. However, a spirited showing from the visitors in the second half earned them a hard-fought point as the match ended 3-3.

Arch-rivals East Bengal also had a week to forget after managing just one point from a possible six. The Gold and Red Brigade played out a 2-2 draw against Mumbai FC before going down 3-1 to league-toppers Bengaluru FC on Sunday. Chennaiyin FC’s Bernard Mendy made it 2-1 for East Bengal against Mumbai FC before Ashutosh Mehta of Mumbai City FC restored parity for the visitors.

Bengaluru FC went into their table-topping clash against East Bengal on the back of a 1-1 draw against DSK Shivajians earlier in the week. The Blues secured a crucial point away at Pune courtesy of a goal from fit-again Eugeneson Lyngdoh (FC Pune City) and went into their match against East Bengal in a must-win situation. After falling behind, Bengaluru rallied courtesy of a Lyngdoh equaliser and eventually went on to win 3-1.

Elsewhere, Sporting Clube de Goa enjoyed a great week after a 1-1 draw against Aizawl FC and a 5-2 thumping of Shillong Lajong FC, which saw Chennaiyin FC full-back Mehrajuddin Wadoo open the scoring for the Goan outfit in the third minute. As the Hero I-League enters its final stretch, Bengaluru FC sit in pole position with 29 points from 14 games, while Kolkata clubs Mohun Bagan and East Bengal trail Bengaluru in second and third place with 27 points from 15 games and 24 points from 14 games respectively.

Sporting Clube de Goa are up to fourth position with 18 points from 14 games with DSK Shivajians and Shillong Lajong in fifth and sixth respectively, having taken 15 points from their 14 matches so far. Aizawl FC, Mumbai FC and Salgaocar FC occupy the bottom of the table with 13 points each from 14 matches. However, Salgaocar FC have played a game fewer.