Nikolaos Karelis' early strike earned Mumbai City FC a 1-0 win over Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League here on Saturday, before East Bengal FC triumphed 1-0 over Jamshedpur FC in Calcutta for their fourth win in the last five matches . With their win, Mumbai City FC moved from seventh to fourth in the points table, with 20 points from 12 matches and five wins. This match was also the third straight game in which the Marina Machans failed to find the back of the net.
At the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, marksman Dimitrios Diamantakos (60th minute) was the only player on target for the home side, who maintained their mid-season surge under their new tactician Oscar Bruzon.
While the Red & Golds recorded their fourth win in their last five matches in the competition, Jamshedpur FC, on the other hand, were inefficient in creating and finishing chances.
Jamshedpur FC were the team that had the upper hand in the first ten minutes of the second half, but they lacked the last ball in the box.
In the 54th minute, Albino was called into action when Hector Yuste rose highest from a corner kick and headed towards goal. The Spaniard made a good connection, but not enough to beat the Jamshedpur FC manager.
But East Bengal's persistent pressure finally paid off in the 60th minute when Dimitrios broke the deadlock through Nandhakumar's cross. Cleiton also played a big role in the build-up as Jamshedpur FC's defenders were stranded looking at the ball.
Earlier in Mumbai, the first quarter of the match saw both teams pressuring their opponents with intricate moves. The first chance of the match was for the home side when Cleiton Silva, who came into space from a corner, stabbed the ball home from close range. However, he was denied by a sprawling Albino Gomes.
A minute later, the Red and Golds recycled possession and Anwar Ali saw his long-range effort rattle the post before going out, catching the entire Jamshedpur FC backline off guard.
Karelis took advantage of a loose ball in the eighth minute, after Yoell van Nieff's shot was partially deflected and the shot calmly ended up in the bottom right corner.
Six minutes later, Karelis Vikram gave Partap Singh the lead, but his effort went wide.
Just before the 20th minute, Lukas Brambilla tried to pull one back for the Marina Machans, making contact with Kiyan Nassiri and receiving the ball on the left side of the 18-yard box.
Brambilla's shot was saved by Mumbai City FC goalkeeper TP Rehenesh.
Chennaiyin FC came close to an equalizer again in the 34th minute, but Brambilla's shot was blocked by Mumbai defender Tiri.
The visitors piled on the pressure after the break, with Daniel Chima Chukwu and Irfan Yadwad combining to create chances.
Yadwad's diving header hit the crossbar in the 48th minute as Rehenesh made critical saves to deny the Marina Machans and seal the full three points.
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