Diego Forlan came to the fore and scored a wonderful hat-trick as Mumbai City FC thrashed Kerala Blasters 5-0.
The master-class in finishing by the Uruguayan lifted the home team to the biggest win in Hero ISL 2016. Otacillo Alves and Lucian Golan also found the net for Mumbai.
Boosted by the victory, MCFC climbed to the first spot in the league table, 19 points in 12 matches. All three of Forlan's goal had class written over them. He chipped in the first on the run, bent a free-kick for the second and cooly slotted off with his left foot for the third.
Guimareas kept faith in Amrinder under the bar, only the second game in season three for the India custodian. The focus of attention in MCFC was the talent in its attack. Chhetri partnered Forlan in the strikeforce. Defederico from Argentina, Otacillo from Brazil made for a strong midfield.
Graham Stack under the Blasters bar had a terrible outing. The fifth minute strike saw Forlan break into celebration. Mumbai fans roared in appreciation, the applause turned deafening when he curled in the second eight minutes later. A direct free-kick allowed the Uruguayan to showcase his dead-ball skill, bending the ball around the wall into the left corner.
The home team defence faced pressure in the second half as the rival midfielders and forwards found space. But the closest any player came to scoring was Forlan, another curling free-kick from outside the box facing the right post. The ball arched across the wall and flew past the left post.
MCFC skipper appeared in the right place at the right time to tap home the third goal, duly completing his first hat-trick in ISL season three. Guimareas replaced him, allowing Otacillo Alves to grab limelight with a thunderous left-footed strike into the roof of the net. Defender Luican Golan did not want to be left behind, nodding home a corner-kick, silencing the swarm of Blasters fans in the stands.
Kerala Blasters is now in fourth position after 10 games (15 points), below FC Pune City on goal difference.
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