ISL 2022-23: Mumbai City ease past hapless NorthEast United

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:52 am

Bipin Singh celebrates after scoring vs NorthEast United.
Bipin Singh celebrates after scoring vs NorthEast United.
Vipin Pawar/Focus Sports/ ISL

Mumbai City FC went to the top of the table after a comfortable 3-1 win over NorthEast United FC in Guwahati on Friday. Ahmed Jahouh, Bipin Singh, and Jorge Diaz got their names on the scoresheet for City, while Parthib Gogoi scored his first goal for NorthEast.

The hosts switched their formation to a 4-3-3 and made just one change as Rochharzela came in to replace Emil Benny. The visitors also made one change that saw Lalengmawia Ralte drop to the bench as Vinit Rai took his spot in the midfield.

A penalty was controversially awarded to City in the 10th minute after Greg Stewart was clipped by Rochharzela just outside the box. The referee pointed to the spot, and Jahouh smashed it in to put City in front.

The lead did not last for a long time as a sloppy pass from Mehtab Singh went straight to Romain Philippoteaux. The Frenchman instantly put Gogoi through on goal before the youngster kept his composure and put away the leveller with a clinical finish in the 17th minute.

In the 28th minute, though, City were back in front. Stewart was the architect again as he whipped in a ball into the box from the right flank. The ball found its way to Bipin, who headed it in at the far post to restore City's advantage.

Thirty seconds into the second half, a two-goal cushion was established. Bipin went down the left side and got his shot away. The effort was parried by Mirshad Michu, but Diaz was in the right place at the right time to score.

In the final quarter of the game, a plethora of opportunities fell to City, but they could not add another goal to their tally. They attempted a total of 22 shots in the game, out of which 13 were on target. New signing Wilmar Jordan came on to make his debut for the Highlanders in the 57th minute but couldn't assert his presence in the game.

The win takes City to the top of the ISL table, two points clear of Hyderabad FC who play ATK Mohun Bagan on Saturday. City will return home to face FC Goa on December 1, Thursday. NorthEast stay rooted to the bottom of the table without a single point after seven games. They will travel to Bhubaneswar next to take on Odisha FC on December 2.