The match between Mumbai City FC and Chennaiyin FC is on.©ISL
Mumbai City FC defeated Chennaiyin FC 2-1 to complete a double this season and return to the top of the table in the Indian Super League on Saturday. Petar Sliskovic broke the deadlock in the 34th minute before Lallianzuala Chhangte equalized at the Mumbai Football Arena four minutes later. Greg Stewart then scored in the 57th minute to seal the game for the Islanders.
Four minutes into the hour, Mourtada Fall was caught on the ball before passing it straight to Julius Duker. The midfielder played straight through to Sliskovic, who calmly pushed the ball past Phurba Lachenpa as the Marina Machans broke the deadlock.
Fall redeemed himself for the mistake that led to the goal just four minutes later when he headed Ahmed Jahouh’s free-kick from close to the halfway line back over the goal on the edge of the penalty area, where Chhangte lay in wait.
The winger cushioned the ball with his left foot before firing a volley past Mitra with his right.
The comeback was complete in the second half when Bipin Singh reeled in a low cross from the left before Jorge Diaz’s back heel kicked the Chennaiyin FC defence. The ball went straight in the path of a charging Stewart, who smashed it in from close range.
In the 80th minute, Mitra was full force to deny Stewart a brace from a free kick near the edge of the box. Chennaiyin FC knocked on the door several times but could not create anything substantial.
The win put Mumbai two points ahead of Hyderabad FC at the top, while Chennaiyin FC remained in seventh place, still five points clear of the play-off spot.
The Islanders will play Odisha FC at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on January 2.
In another match played in Guwahati, NorthEast United FC ended their 10 match losing streak as they beat ATK Mohun Bagan 1-0 to take their first points of the season.
Striker Wilmar Jordan scored the only goal of the game in the 69th minute.
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