ISL 2024-25: Mohun Bagan SG Beat East Bengal FC 2-0 in Kolkata Derby

Mohun Bagan Super Giant East Bengal FC 2-0 in the 2024-25 Indian Super League at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday.

Jamie Maclaren and Dimitri Petratos scored as the Mariners emerged victorious in the Kolkata derby.

The start of the match was a cagey affair with the thousands in the stands holding their breath.

Liston Colaco was chopped down in answer to his tricks on the left wing as David Lalhlansanga managed to get in behind the Mohun Bagan defence a few times. Irrespective, Anwar Ali got booed every time he got a touch on the ball.

In the 18th minute, Greg Stewart did well to recycle a loose ball to keep the attack going. Prabhsukhan Gill though pulled off a stunning reaction save to deny Jamie Maclaren from point-blank range.

The very next minute, Mohun Bagan fans started to celebrate as Manvir Singh climbed high to thump in a Liston corner. No sooner did Prabhsukhan start his protests, than the linesman had his flag up as the referee blew offside. No goal.

Come the 25th minute, Manvir had another header saved instinctively by Prabhsukhan from the right side of the six-yard box.

It was East Bengal’s turn to get in a few attacks after narrowly not conceding the opening goal. Madih Talal did get close a couple of times but did not score.

Even though the game had been feisty in flashes, Souvik Chakrabarti was the first man into the referee’s book for a silly foul on Greg Stewart.

Mohun Bagan finally took the lead in the 41st minute as Maclaren put the ball past Prabhsukhan at his near post. Stewart found Manvir on the right, escaped Provat Lakra, and put a ball ahead of Anwar. Maclaren zoomed ahead of Hector Yuste and slotted the ball past the East Bengal keeper to send the Mohun Bagan fans into delirium.

East Bengal’s half was best summarised by Anwar’s effort in the closing moments as his shot flew closer to the second tier in the stands than his intended target.

The second started with more viciousness and the yellow cards followed – namely Apiua and Alberto Rodriguez.

Colaco did have a chance again to score but couldn’t reache the cross from Manvir in time in the 59th and then again in the 68th minute, took a tame long range effort which was collected easily by Prabhsukhan.

Oscar Bruzon decided to bring on fresh faces as he substituted on Dimitrios Diamantakos, Jesin TK and Lal Chungnunga after having introduced PV Vishnu at the start of the half.

When Lakra went into the referee’s book in the 78th minute, for a tackle on Manvir, he was substituted by Mark Zothanpuia.

The substitutes did manage to inspire East Bengal to more chances but lack of coordination in the final third meant none were converted.

On the other hand, Jose Molina in place of Maclaren brought on Dimitri Petratos.

Prabhsukhan felled Petratos inside the box in the 88th minute. The referee pointed to the spot unlike four minutes earlier when Anwar brought down Stewart.

The Aussie forward stepped up and sloted home to double Mohun Bagan’s lead.

Molina brought on more fresh faces as Sahal Abdul Samad, Deepak Tangri, Jason Cummings and Ashique Kuruniyan were brought on but the result was pretty much in the bag.

With the final whistle, the Mariners light up firecrackers in the stands as the Torchbearers abandoned their sinking ship in the closing minutes.