East Bengal maintained their lead at top of the table with a narrow 2-1 win over Shillong Lajong in an I-League clash on Saturday.
Chris Payne was the star of the show, smashing in two first half goals for the visitors. Lajong pulled one back through Asier Pierrick Dipanda Dicka, but failed to equalise after squandering several chances.
East Bengal took the lead in the ninth minute as the Lajong defenders failed to clear a simple ball played into the box. An alert Payne calmly converted to hand his side the advantage.
He scored again in the 33rd minute after controlling lob in the box from the halfway line before volleying it home.
Dicka pulled one back in the 64th minute, but Lajong failed to capitalise. A number of chances missed the mark as East Bengal held on to seal victory and secure the top spot.
Aizawl beat Mumbai FC 2-0
Aizawl FC registered a comfortable 2-0 win over Mumbai FC at home to keep pace with leaders East Bengal. Khalid Jamil’s side romped to victory with two second half goals from Bayi Kamo.
The win helped Khalid Jamil complete a double over his former club in the I-League this season. Aizawl are now just one point behind East Bengal, who top the I-League table with 27 points.
Mumbai continue to languish in ninth place with nine points. This was their seventh loss in 12 games played so far.
The scores
- Shillong Lajong 1 (Asier Pierrick Dipanda Dicka) lost to East Bengal 2 (Chris Payne x 2).
- Aizawl FC 2 (Bayi Kamo x 2) beat Mumbai FC 0.
- Churchill Brothers 2 (Brandon Fernandes, Chesterpoul Lyngdoh) beat Mohun Bagan 1 (Prabir Das).