Bartholomew Ogbeche, Rowllin Borges help Mumbai go top with third straight win

Deepak Malik / Sportzpics for ISL

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Goals from Bartholomew Ogbeche and Rowllin Borges helped Mumbai City FC beat Odisha FC 2-0 to go top of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2020-21 table with their third straight win in Goa on Sunday.

Mumbai made a sloppy start, and Odisha almost took a shock lead early on when Diego Maurício's free kick from the edge of the box clipped the bar before going over. However, Mumbai were still largely the better side going forward, and their sustained pressure finally paid off in the 29th minute, when they won a penalty for Shubham Sarangi's handball inside the box. Bartholomew Ogbeche, who started ahead of Adam Le Fondre, made no mistake from the spot, sliding the ball into the bottom left corner to give Sergio Lobera's side the lead.

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Ahmed Jahouh was once again outstanding in midfield, his control and distribution key to Mumbai's domination. His set piece almost set up Mumbai's second moments later, when he found Mourtada Fall from a free kick, with the latter finding the net with a towering header. But the goal was ruled out as Fall was deemed to have fouled Odisha keeper Kamaljit Singh during his jump. Kamaljit was in fact taken off after the incident with a possible concussion.

Mumbai upped the tempo even further during the final stages of the half and got their reward just before the whistle. Hugo Boumous found Bipin Singh on the left wing following a pacy run from his own half, before Singh's cross found the onrushing Rowllin Borges, who headed it into the bottom right corner.

Mumbai remained in control in the second half, and Boumous and Cy Goddard were constant threats down the wings. They had several presentable chances to put the game beyond doubt, and Jahouh almost did it in spectacular fashion the 82nd minute with a vicious volley which was tipped over by the keeper.

Substitute Marcelinho nearly grabbed a consolation goal in the 87th minute, but his effort from outside the box went just wide. Laishram Singh, another second-half substitute had an ever better chance moments later, but sent clean through on goal by George D'Souza, he blasted his effort wide.

Mumbai will next face Chennaiyin on December 9, while Odisha's next match is against FC Goa on December 12.

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