FC Pune City strolled to a comfortable 3 – 0 victory over defending champions ATK in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune on Saturday. Adil Khan gave Pune the lead in the first half before Diego Carlos and Rohit Kumar struck in the second to maintain their unblemished record against the Kolkata-based outfit at home.

The hosts started the game on the front foot and Marcelinho gave the defending champions a nervy moment in the sixth minute. The Brazilian stepped up for a free-kick and the ball took an awkward bounce in front of custodian Debjit Majumder, who somehow managed to push the ball away with his arms before the defence cleared it away.

The Stallions then should have taken the lead in the 19th minute. Diego Carlos went on a marauding run down the left flank and put in a glorious cross towards Emiliano Alfaro at the centre. But with the entire goal at his mercy, the Uruguayan surprisingly managed to put his diving header wide.

ATK got their first shot on target on the half-hour mark. Prabir Das lifted in a lovely cross from the right, but Zequinha’s header, under pressure from his marker, was aimed straight at goalkeeper Vishal Kaith who held on with ease.

Just a couple of minutes later though, and the hosts got a much-deserved lead. Marcelinho took a corner, and Adil Khan charged into the box unmarked to thump the ball into the top right-hand corner with his head.

Nine minutes before the half, and the defending champions themselves had a bunch of opportunities to equalise. First, following a melee from a corner, Conor Thomas found space to get on target a powerful shot that was cleared off the line by Jewel Raja. The ball then came to Jordi Montel, whose volley blazed inches over the crossbar. A minute later, Zequinha latched on to a pass and his low shot from a slight angle just flashed wide of the target.

The visitors then had another chance in the last minute of added time. Ryan Taylor’s free-kick from the edge of the box was on target, but Kaith came up with an important save. That brought to an end an electrifying half, as the Stallions went into the break hanging onto their one-goal lead.

ATK fashioned an opening eight minutes after the restart. Keegan Pereira’s cross into the box deflected kindly towards Prabir Das who could not get enough power on his free-header, allowing Kaith to easily grab the ball.

A minute before the hour-mark, and the Stallions doubled their advantage. Carlos cut in from the left and unleashed his shot from the edge of the box. The ball bounced in front of an outstretched Debjit before nestling into the back of the net.

Five minutes later, ATK substitute David Cotterill whipped in a dangerous cross into the box, but Jayesh Rane, who was put off by his marker, failed to get proper connection on it.

Thirteen minutes from the end, and Pune got a third. Kumar found the ball near the box, and with the ATK defenders backing off, he put his laces through a shot which proved too powerful for Debjit, finding the back of the net. It was the last bit of action from the match as with the three goals and three points, the Stallions consolidated their position near the top of the table.

MATCH AWARDS

Club Award: FC Pune City
Swift Moment of the Match: Rohit Kumar
DHL Winning Pass of the Match: Marcelinho
Amul Fittest Player: Prabir Das
Emerging Player: Sahil Panwar
Hero of the Match: Diego Carlos

Watch the match highlights here: