ISL 2024-25: East Bengal beats NorthEast United FC 1-0 to clinch first win of season

Dimitrios Diamantako scored in the 23rd-minute to lead the Red and Gold Brigade to the victory.

Dimitrios Diamantakos of East Bengal FC during match 56 between East Bengal FC and NorthEast United FC. | Photo Credit: FSDL/ ISL Media

Dimitrios Diamantakos produced the desired finish with a spectacular header to help East Bengal prevail over NorthEast United FC by a solitary goal in a matchweek 10 encounter of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 11 at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Friday.

Two red cards in the final quarter of the action – one each for NEUFC’s Mohammed Bemammer) and Lalchungnunga of EBFC – reduced the two sides to 10 men. Despite the skirmish, the host was able to maintain the slender lead till the end to pick up its first win of the tournament.

The win did not help East Bengal’s position in the standings as it continued to remain at the bottom with four points from eight matches. NorthEast United held on to the third spot with its previous collection of 15 points, after 10 matches.

FOLLOW: EBFC vs NEUFC HIGHLIGHTS

East Bengal showcased its attacking intent right from the start. The host could have gone up in the first minute but for the NorthEast goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh Chahal, who made a fine block on P.V. Vishnu’s effort from close. East Bengal continued to shape in the attack before Diamantakos produced a dazzling header to send a pin-point accurate cross from Madih Talal home.

The Greek striker, who won the golden boot last season for Kerala Blasters, proved his worth as a finisher after struggling in the first few games for the Kolkata club. The visitor had its share of chances but could not find the equaliser as its attackers, especially its prolific Moroccan forward Alaeddine Ajaraie, failed to find the target.

P.V. Vishnu, who replaced a suspended Nandhakumar Sekar in the starting lineup, did a fine job on the flanks and combined well with Jeakson Singh and Talal at the centre of the park to pin the visitor to its defence for a good part of the action. Vishnu was unlucky in not converting his attempt in the first minute of the action but that move did rattle the opposition into submitting to the offensive plan devised by its new coach Oscar Bruzon.

NEUFC tried its best to unshackle itself late in the first session and could well have found the equaliser in the 37th minute when Buanthanglun Samte set up Ajaraie with a nice cross. The Morrocan forward, who is currently leading the scoring charts with 11 goals, rose high to connect a nice header just to see the ball coming off the crossbar.

He had a couple of chances in the second half but failed to produce the equaliser. Once its captain and central midfielder Mohammed Ali Bemammer exited in the 72nd minute following his second booking of the match in the 72nd minute, NorthEast United all but gave up its efforts to get back into the match.

East Bengal also lost its left full-back Lalchungnunga to a second booking in the 87th minute but that was too late to impact the outcome of the action.