ISL: MCFC 4-0 NEUFC: Mumbai City continue cruise mode with a commanding outing against NorthEast United

Ahmed
Jahouh,
Jorge
Diaz,
and
Vinit
Rai
were
on
target
for
the
Islanders.
The
third
goal
of
the
match
was
classified
as
an
Alex
Saji
own
goal.

The
result
was
another
example
of
their
dominance
this
season
–
in
all,
Mumbai
City
FC
have
now
scored
45
goals
in
15
games,
putting
them
just
a
goal
behind
FC
Goa’s
league
stage
record
of
46
goals
in
2019-20
with
five
games
to
go.

ISL
Special
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Des
Buckingham
made
four
changes
to
his
side
that
saw
Mourtada
Fall,
Lalengmawia
Ralte,
Rai
and
Diaz
return
to
the
starting
XI
to
replace
Rostyn
Griffiths,
Vignesh
Dakshinamurthy,
Rowllin
Borges
and
Alberto
Noguera.
Vincenzo
Annese
made
two
changes
that
saw
Romain
Philippoteaux
and
Rochharzela
replace
Jon
Gaztanaga
and
Emil
Benny.

Annese
tweaked
his
tactics
specifically
for
Mumbai
City
FC,
but
the
gamble
did
not
pay
off
as
the
visitors
found
themselves
three
goals
down
inside
the
opening
15
minutes
of
the
game.
A
deflected
Ahmed
Jahouh
free-kick
handed
the
hosts
an
early
lead
five
minutes
into
the
game.

Immediately
after
the
goal,
the
Highlanders
hovered
near
the
Mumbai
City
FC
box
but
failed
to
penetrate
the
staunch
defence.
Six
minutes
after
the
opener,
the
Islanders
doubled
their
lead
after
Lallianzuala
Chhangte’s
tricky
run
was
thwarted
by
the
defence
only
to
put
the
loose
ball
into
the
path
of
Diaz,
who
scored
his
ninth
goal
of
the
season.

After
scoring
the
second,
Diaz
was
involved
in
a
smooth
one-touch-pass
move
that
ended
with
Greg
Stewart’s
shot
deflected
into
the
goal
by
Saji.
For
the
second
time
in
three
weeks,
Mumbai
City
FC
had
dismantled
their
opponents
inside
the
opening
quarter
of
the
game.

At
half-time,
Rai
was
allowed
too
much
space
by
the
NorthEast
United
defence
about
25
yards
away
from
the
goal.
The
full-back
tried
his
luck
from
range
and
his
scorching
effort
flew
into
the
top
left
corner
of
the
goal.
The
Highlanders
were
reduced
to
ten
men
after
Wilmar
Gil’s
swinging
arm
impeded
Diaz
near
the
halfway
line
straight
after
kick-off.

In
the
second
half,
Mumbai
City
FC
lowered
the
tempo
and
took
complete
control
of
the
game.
However,
the
Islanders
were
still
hovering
near
the
NorthEast
United
FC
box,
constantly
looking
for
openings
in
the
defence.
Three
minutes
from
time,
Diaz
had
the
opportunity
to
add
another
goal
to
his
tally
from
the
penalty
spot.
However,
the
Argentine’s
penalty
was
saved
by
Mirshad
Michu.

Mumbai
City
FC
are
now
seven
points
clear
at
the
top
of
the
table
now.
Hyderabad
FC
can
cut
the
deficit
back
down
to
four
if
they
win
their
game
against
East
Bengal
FC
tomorrow.
As
for
the
Islanders,
their
next
challenge
will
be
a
game
against
Jamshedpur
FC
on
January
27.
NorthEast
United
FC
were
handed
their
13th
defeat
of
the
season
and
they
will
Kerala
Blasters
FC
next
on
January
29.

Key
Stats:

–
Lallianzuala
Chhangte
attempted
3
shots
and
created
3
chances

–
Gaurav
Bora
attempted
4
tackles,
3
clearances,
and
2
blocks

–
Mehtab
Singh
finished
with
a
passing
accuracy
of
98

Source:
ISL
Media