AGENCIES, COIMBATORE: Chennai City FC consolidated their lead at the top of the points table with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over title contenders East Bengal in a crunch I-League encounter here at the Nehru Stadium here on Monday.
Spanish striker Pedro Manzi scored his 11th goal of the 12th I-League and Romario Jesuraj netted the other to ensure the hosts are perched firmly on top of the standings with 27 points from 12 games, a clear five points ahead of second-placed Churchill Brothers.
East Bengal, on the other hand, remain on 19 points with a game in hand despite Laldanmawia Ralte’s fourth strike of the campaign, giving them an early lead. Their sixth position in the league table points to their hopes of a first ever Hero I-League triumph fast fading away.
Both teams made one change to their starting eleven from their previous game. East Bengal coach Alejandro Garcia was forced to replace Lalram Chullova, red-carded in the game against the Indian Arrows, with Samad Ali Mallick.
