I-League: East Bengal defeat Mohun Bagan in a controversially contested derby

East Bengal defeated arch-rivals Mohun Bagan in a hotly contested and a controversial derby in the I-League on Sunday.

Mohun Bagan took an early lead in the 13th minute when Azharduddin Mallick tapped one into the net in the 13th minute from a cross by Omar, which an outstretched custodian Rakshit Dagar failed to collect.

East Bengal bounced back in stunning fashion, scoring the equaliser four minutes later when Laldanmaia Ralte scored from what appeared to be an offside position.

The Red and Golds doubled the lead just at the stroke of half-time when a back volley from Justin found the corner of the net.

East Bengal further doubled their lead in the 61st minute when it was Ralte once again, who was present at the right time to knock the ball into the net past Sankar Roy who absolutely had no chance.

A red card shown to Eze Kingsley following a foul on Justin saw him get a red card (for collecting his second yellow) and Mohun Bagan’s hopes of a comeback took a jolt, as they were reduced to 10 men.

But the Mariners showed a fighting spirit and although Dipanda Dicka wearing the captain’s armband pulled one back for his side in the 74th minute, it was all too late for Shankarlal Chakraborty and his men as they suffered their second loss of the season.