Mumbai City FC cruised to its third successive Indian Super League triumph as it rode on Arnold Issoko’s fourth-minute goal to claim a 1-0 win over NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic stadium here on Friday.
The result helps Mumbai climb to the third spot on the table with 13 points from seven matches. NorthEast United, which has a game in hand, remains in the fifth spot with 11 points.
The visiting Mumbai side surged ahead with its first attack. The NorthEast defence failed to clear its lines from a Paulo Machado corner and the ball rolled back into Machado's path. His first time shot struck Arnold Issoko's chest and crossed the line despite goalkeeper Pawan Kumar’s diving effort.
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The host responded to the setback by creating several chances.Bartholomew Ogbeche's header off a Redeem Tlang cross whizzed past the post, while Federico Gallego's freekick from the edge of the box sailed well over the bar.
Mumbai City had a chance to double its lead when a move straight from the training ground saw Machado square the ball to Rafael Bastos from a free-kick. The Brazilian’s shot went inches wide of the far post.
Three minutes after the restart, Ogbeche made a brilliant run down the left and crossed for Juan Mascia. However, the Uruguayan striker couldn’t turn it home.
Mumbai City had multiple chances to extend its lead as the half wore on. In the 50th minute, Moudou Sougou had a brilliant opportunity to score when he was played onside and he only had to beat the onrushing goalkeeper. The Senegalese striker, however, saw his lobbed effort miss the target, much to the disappointment of coach Jorge Costa.
Sougou missed another chance just after the hour mark. Lucian Goian’s long punt found Issoko who did well to get beyond his marker and release Sougou down the left, but he blasted his shot into the stands.
The tale of wasted chances continued at the other end too as Ogbeche got on the end of a cross and found space to shoot but his effort went straight into Mumbai City custodian Amrinder Singh.
An error from Goian presented Ogbeche a one-on-one chance with Amrinder but the Nigerian striker failed to beat the keeper.
Despite a late onslaught, Mumbai City held on to its slender lead as NorthEast United fell to its first defeat of the season.
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