PANJIM: Mumbai City FC extended their lead to six points at the top following their 2-1 win over Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League at Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, on Tuesday.
Adam Le Fondre scored a 67th minute penalty after Bipin Singh made the squares all level in the 46th minute. Kerala had taken the lead in the first half through Vincente Gomes in the 27th minute.
Bakary Kone, Prasanth Karuthadathkuni and Yondrembem Denchendra found places in starting XI as Kerala made three changes in the team. Mumbai also named three fresh players as Adam Le Fondre, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy, and Cy Goddard were given a start.
It was an end to end battle in the first half. But the story line was more of missed chances and Amrinder Singh, who was outstanding for Mumbai throughout.
Adam Le Fondre had one of the best chances of the game. In the 11th minute, he danced his way past two Kerala defenders, but his shot from a narrow-angle beat both the keeper and the post. Le Fondre was handed yet another chance when Hugo Boumous pounced on a loose pass, drove forward, and set Le Fondre into the box but the Englishman shot wide.
While the strikers were misfiring for Mumbai, their goalkeeper was at his best. Amrinder Singh dived fully to deny Kone from scoring a header. He then denied Rahul KP from close and frustrated Jordan Murray too.
From the resultant corner, Kerala took the lead. Sahal Abdul Samad sent in a perfect delivery in the area where Vicente Gomez got off his marker and headed in.
Kerala’s Albino Gomes was called into action when Bipin Singh evaded a couple of opponents on the flank and crossed to Boumous, but his header was easily saved by the custodian.
The half-time talk from Lobera seemed to have worked on his squad as the Islanders got back into the game soon after the restart.
Le Fondre set Goddard on the right as the latter evaded a tackle from opponents and attempted a shot. However, it took a deflection and went towards Bipin at the far post, who found the back of the net from a tight angle.
Kerala kept pressing to regain their lead but Amrinder stood strong. The keeper continued to frustrate their opponents as he denied Murray and Rahul once again.
At the other end, Mumbai kept on pressing and were awarded a penalty when Le Fondre was fouled in the box by Costa Nhamoinesu. This time, Le Fondre didn’t make any mistake as he smashed the ball past Albino Gomes.
