Kingsley header ensures three points for Mariners
Kolkata: Mohun Bagan rode on a header from their Nigerian central defender Eze Kingsley to beat East Bengal by a solitary goal in the first I-League derby of the season at a packed Salt Lake Stadium here today.
Man of the match Kingsley scored off a low but powerful header from a Sony Norde corner kick to help Mohun Bagan register their first win of the season.
Their defence, led by goalkeeper Shilton Paul, held on to the slender lead on a day Norde and Ansumana Kromah failed to make use of the opportunities.
It was a lacklustre effort by the Khalid Jamil-coached East Bengal side with Willis Plaza missing a gilt-edged opportunity five minutes from close. With only Paul from hand-shaking distance, Plaza, unmarked and plenty of time available, shot wide.
Battling a step-motherly treatment, the season’s first derby also made a big statement with an overwhelming attendance of 64,630 despite a 2pm kick-off.
With 10 minutes left, it was almost 1-1 when Laldanmawia Ralte cut in from the left and curled one in from 10 yards away, but a cool-headed Paul showed fine anticipation as he leaped high in the air and palmed away the danger.
Earlier, Norde beautifully curved in a corner which cleared the heads of couple of East Bengal defenders and landed clear of the defence. Kingsley was lurking at the far right post and capitalised on the loose ball after it bounced off the turf to nod in. Moments later it could have been 2-0 for Mohun Bagan, but Aser Pierrick Dipanda shot straight into the body of the East Bengal custodian Luis Barreto.
