ISL: Mohun Bagan goes top with an emphatic win

Defending champion Mohun Bagan Super Giant stormed to the top of the ISL-12 standings with a commanding 5-1 victory over local rival Mohammedan Sporting Club at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Saturday.

Mohammedan made a bright start, catching a sluggish Bagan defence off guard in the 12th minute when Lalthankima headed home from a corner-kick. However, the advantage was short-lived as the Mariners quickly regrouped and rediscovered their rhythm.

Robson Robinho drew level in the 22nd with a clinical finish after being set up inside the box by a clever back-heel from Jason Cummings. Buoyed by his maiden ISL goal, the Brazilian struck again five minutes later. A rebound off Manvir Singh’s effort fell to him, and Robinho made no mistake in slotting it into the corner to give Bagan the lead.

From there, Bagan took complete control. Jamie Maclaren extended the lead with an opportunistic finish to make it 3-1. Though Robinho was forced to leave the field in the first half with a hamstring concern, Bagan’s momentum never dipped.

Manvir added a fourth in the 62nd with a well-placed header and substitute Dimitri Petratos sealed the emphatic win in the 70th with a stunning long-range strike.

Mohammedan goalkeeper Subhajeet Bhattacharjee produced a string of impressive saves to prevent a heavier loss. Bagan now has nine points from three games while Mohammedan slumped to a third straight loss.

The result: Mohun Bagan 5 (Robinho 22, 27, Maclaren 35, Manvir 62, Petratos 70) bt Mohammedan Sporting 1 (Lalthankima 12).