In a thrilling encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium, East Bengal delivered a stunning performance, securing a resounding 5-0 victory against NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) in an ISL-10 fixture on Monday. The match showcased East Bengal’s remarkable prowess, marking their most outstanding outing in the Indian Super League (ISL).
The game witnessed a spectacular display right from the start as East Bengal pressed for an early lead. Borja Herrera initiated the scoring spree in the 14th minute, capitalizing on a brilliant assist from P.V. Vishnu, seizing control atop the NEUFC box.
The momentum continued to favor East Bengal as they further solidified their position. Spanish playmaker Saul Crespo’s innovative ‘rabona kick’ set up Mandar Rao Desai for a clever header, doubling the lead for East Bengal in the 24th minute.
Brazilian striker Cleiton Silva added to NEUFC’s woes, capitalizing on a lob from Desai, securing his first of two goals and extending East Bengal’s advantage in the first half. Despite NorthEast United goalkeeper K. Mirshad thwarting Vishnu’s attempt, East Bengal’s dominance persisted.
The second half saw East Bengal intensify their assault, with substitute Nandhakumar Sekar amplifying the scoreline in the 62nd minute, showcasing a more determined approach after halftime.
Nandhakumar’s impactful performance continued as he assisted Cleiton in the 66th minute, orchestrating yet another goal. Crespo’s ‘rabona’ maneuver created the opportunity for Nandhakumar to provide the crucial cross, further cementing East Bengal’s lead.
Nandhakumar sealed East Bengal’s commanding victory by netting his second goal in the 81st minute, capitalizing on an assist from Naorem Mahesh Singh, leaving NEUFC struggling to contain the onslaught.
Despite NEUFC being awarded a penalty in injury time, Nestor Albiach’s left-footed shot hit the bar, encapsulating NorthEast’s frustrating day on the field and allowing East Bengal to conclude the match with a clean sheet.
This momentous win marked only the second victory of the season for East Bengal, propelling them to the seventh spot in the ISL standings with eight points from seven matches. Meanwhile, NorthEast United FC remained in the sixth spot with nine points after playing eight matches.
East Bengal’s stellar performance showcased their dominance and capabilities, leaving a lasting impression on the ISL and signaling a newfound strength for the team in the league.
