Mumbai City FC following their 7-0 hammering in the hands of FC Goa, crashed to yet another defeat as NorthEast United managed to score two goals past the struggling side.
Mumbai City FC started the match brightly but the Highlanders managed to sustain the early pressure before launching their own pressure to nick the match with a penalty and a late goal.
NorthEast United manager Cesar Farias continued with a host of changes that saw new signing Victor Mendy make his debut, while Francis Dadzie, Seityasen, Siam Hanghal, Diomansy Kamara and Yumnam Raju all made their return to the starting lineup.
Mumbai City player cum manager Nicolas Anelka made few change to the team that saw Rowilson, Frantz Bertin, Juan Aguilera and Thangjam Saran Singh start but Sony Norde wasna t risked as he joined late following his international commitments.
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Mumbai City FCa s bright start to the match saw Rehnesh forced to make quite a few save within the 4th minute mark. The Highlanders after sustaining the early pressure made a few attacks of their own, but both the shots from Victor Mendy and Diomansy Kamara were off the mark.
Mumbai City defender Rowilson Rodrigues was at fault on the 39th minute when he went for the ball from behind and Kamara made them most to earn NorthEast United a penalty. Bruno Herrero made no mistake from the spot as his powerful shot went past Subrata Paul despite him guessing the right direction.
NorthEast United doubled the lead on the 85th minute when Paul made a glaring error after he completely lost track of Simaoa s cross leaving Kamara with an easy tap in.
Sunil Chhetri, though, had his chance to equalise but his shot with weaker foot went just wide of the post in the 74th minute.
Mumbai City FC started well in the first half but lost their control of the match as the match progressed and could well have been at the end of yet another rout only for profligacy of the Highlanders forward.
Mendy was guilty of missing two chances around the half hour mark when he was able to reach the end of the cross but his header were not on target. Sunil Chhetri on the 35th minute mark headed it wide from a Anelka cross.
The second half saw no changes as the Highlanders continued to dominate the proceedings but Mumbai City had an early chance as Anelka went close after playing a nice one-two with Chhetri but was saved by Rehenesh.
Mumbai City went all out during the last stages and Rehenesh was called into the action in the 81st minute when Anelka did just enough to turn home Sony Nordea s cross, but was tipped away.
The profligacy during the late stages and the howler cost Mumbai City a point while NorthEast United would feel that their dominance was finally shown in the score sheet.
Image Courtesy: ISL Media