Clinical ATK Mohun Bagan extend lead atop ISL with Kolkata derby win

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:09 am

Roy Krishna scores for ATK Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal.
Roy Krishna scores for ATK Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal.
Vipin Pawar / Sportzpics for ISL

ATK Mohun Bagan won the Kolkata derby by a convincing 3-1 margin over SC East Bengal at the Fatorda on Friday. With this win, the ATKMB finish the season of the 100th year of the legendary derby with a double over their rivals.

ATKMB have now won five matches in a row, and lead Mumbai City FC by five points at the top with the latter having a game in hand.

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

Roy Krishna (15') opened the scoring for ATKMB before SCEB pulled one back through an own goal from Tiri (41'). Krishna later set up goals for David Williams (72') and Javier Hernandez (89') to help them secure the derby bragging rights while strengthening their lead at the top.

ATKMB were more dominant in the opening half, creating more chances. Their perseverance paid off after a lovely long ball from Tiri split the SCEB defense. Krishna ran onto it, controlled it superbly before taking it around Subrata Pal and slotting it in, extending his goal tally to 12 for the season.

Bagan fashioned another great chance in the 23rd minute but Pal made a fine save. Williams threaded a through ball into the box for Marcelinho whose effort was parried away by the SCEB keeper.

SCEB failed to register a single shot on target in the opening half. It looked like Bagan would head into the break with their noses in front, but a defensive error helped SCEB restore parity.

Raju Gaikwad took a throw-in and directed it at the far post which was inadvertently diverted by Tiri into his own net.

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

SCEB's struggles in the attacking third continued after the change of ends as they failed to test Bagan keeper Arindam Bhattacharja. Bagan, meanwhile, failed to make the most of the chances they created.

Bagan doubled their tally after the hour mark with Krishna turning creator this time. Krishna intercepted a poor pass from Daniel Fox before laying a pass for Williams who buried his first-time shot.

Hernandez then put the result beyond SCEB's reach with a late goal. Krishna's lofted pass was headed in by the Spaniard to make sure of the result.