ISL 2020-21: Chhetri, Silva keep BFC's playoff hopes alive

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:09 am

Sunil Chhetri scores for Bengaluru FC vs Mumbai City FC.
Sunil Chhetri scores for Bengaluru FC vs Mumbai City FC.
Faheem Hussain / Sportzpics for ISL

Sunil Chhetri and Cleiton Silva scored two goals each as Bengaluru FC kept their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs alive with a 4-2 win over Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Monday.

ISL fixtures | Scores | Table | Stats | Transfers | Playoff scenarios

Silva made it 1-0 just 25 seconds in, marking the fastest goal of the season, and second-fastest in the history of the league. After getting the ball in midfield, Chhetri released Udanta Singh on the wing, and Silva made no mistake to finish off the winger's cross.

Mumbai had more possession and more shots on target, but BFC were sharper in transition and clinical in front of goal.

BFC doubled the lead from a set-piece in the 22nd minute, as Silva headed in Xisco Hernandez's delightful ball with a perfectly timed run at the far post. Amrinder Singh, who moments earlier had denied Erik Paartalu with a fine save, had no chance.

Lobera's side had two good chances to get back into the game, one through Le Fondre and another through Raynier Fernandes but both were not converted. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu then made a big save to deny Mourtada Fall.

- Indian Super League: Stream LIVE on ESPN+ (U.S. only)

Mumbai came back stronger in the second half and soon reduced the deficit. Cy Goddard made a run on the right and threaded a well-timed cross into the box. Adam Le Fondre got in front of Harmanjot Khabra and caressed the ball past Gurpreet.

But BFC restored their two-goal lead within seven minutes through Chhetri. Gurpreet's goal kick found Chhetri up front. As Hernan Santana, who was marking Chhetri, took a tumble, the Indian capitalised and put it past Amrinder.

With 20 minutes left, Le Fondre scored his second, guiding a Goddard freekick past Gurpreet, keeping Mumbai in the hunt. Le Fondre nearly put them level moments later, only to be denied by another fine save by Gurpreet.

BFC took advantage of Mumbai's high press late on, as Edmund Lalrindika set Chhetri through and the latter coolly scored past Amrinder for his second.

The win took BFC to 22 points, up to sixth in the table and kept them in the hunt for making the top four.