Last Update: January 20, 2023, 00:48 IST
Mumbai City FC beat Northeast United FC 4-0 (Twitter)
Ahmed Jauh, George Diaz, and Vineet Rai netted for the Islanders, while NEUFC’s Alex Saji added to the Highlanders’ misery by scoring at the wrong end of the pitch.
Mumbai City FC thumped Northeast United FC 4-0 on Thursday to go seven points clear at the top of the Indian Super League table.
Ahmed Jauh, George Diaz and Vineet Rai were on target for Mumbai. The third goal of the match was classified as an own goal by Alex Saji.
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The result was yet another example of Mumbai’s dominance this season.
Overall, Mumbai City have now scored 45 goals in 15 matches, just one goal short of FC Goa’s league stage record of 46 goals in 2019-20 with five games to go.
Northeast United coach Vicenzo Aeneas changed his tactics specifically for Mumbai City but the gamble did not pay off as the visitors found themselves three goals down inside the first 15 minutes of the game.
A deflected Ahmed Jaouh free-kick gave the hosts an early lead five minutes into the game.
Soon after the goal, the Highlanders started hovering near the Mumbai City box but failed to break through the stout defence.
Six minutes after the opener, Mumbai doubled their lead after Lallinzuala Chhangte’s tricky run was thwarted by the defence, only to put the loose ball into the path of Diaz, who scored his ninth goal of the season.
After scoring the second, Díaz was involved in a spontaneous one-touch-pass move that ended with Saji deflecting Greg Stewart’s shot into the goal.
At half time, Rae was given too much space by the Northeast United defense approximately 25 yards from goal. The full-back tried his luck from range and his scorching effort flew into the top left corner of the goal.
The Highlanders were reduced to 10 after Wilmer Gill’s swinging arm intercepted Díaz near the halfway line just after kick-off.
Three minutes from time, Díaz had an opportunity to add another goal to his tally from the penalty spot. However, Argentina’s effort was saved by Mirshad Meechu.
Mumbai City are now seven points clear at the top of the table. Hyderabad FC can reduce the deficit to four if they register a win against East Bengal FC on Friday.
Mumbai City next take on Jamshedpur FC on January 27, while Northeast United, who were handed their 13th defeat of the season, take on Kerala Blasters FC on January 29.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)