Quess East Bengal FC pipped Mohun Bagan AC 3-2 in the first I-League Kolkata derby of the 2018-19 season at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata. A total of 64, 867 fans flocked the stadium to witness the cracker.
Azharuddin Mallick drew first blood for Mohun Bagan at the 13th minute when he tapped in Omar El-Housseiny’s cross from the left wing. However, the joy was short-lived as Laldanmawia Ralte equalized for East Bengal four minutes later after Jobby Justin sent him through.
The provider Jobby Justin turned into the goalscorer at the 44th minute through an acrobatic bicycle kick for East Bengal. Mohun Bagan’s problems didn’t reduce as they came out after half-time. The referee gave marching orders to their captain Eze Kingsley after he got himself booked for the second time at the 59th minute.
East Bengal put further salt to their wound as Laldanmawia Ralte scored from the resultant free-kick. Lalrindika Ralte curled in a deadly free-kick and the Mizo headed it in. Surprisingly, Mohun Bagan played better after being a man down. They blazed all their guns and scored one back through Dipanda Dicka at the 75th minute.
East Bengal was on their feet for the remainder of the fifteen minutes and saw off Mohun Bagan’s constant attacks. The final whistle came off as a music to the Red and Golds’ fans who celebrated their side’s first Kolkata Derby victory since 2016.
The Twitteratis didn’t stop themselves from voicing their opinions. While they praised Jobby Justin’s valiant performance and, his overhead kick, in particular, they condemned Eze Kingsley’s distasteful performance too. The Mohun Bagan fans even accused East Bengal of bribing the referee as they felt Laldanmawia Ralte was offside while scoring his first goal. The East Bengal fans retaliated by showing them the screen clipping of the goal. Without any further ado, here is how Twitter reacted:
Teams have come out to warm up and soak in the atmosphere – Second to none in #IndianFootball #QEBMB #HeroILeague #KolkataDerby pic.twitter.com/lgbevgpuYT
— Swapnaneel Parasar (@Swapyo) December 16, 2018
.@eastbengalfc give Spaniard Jamie Colado a start in .@ILeagueOfficial match against .@Mohun_Bagan. 3 Spanish speaking players started by Spanish coach Alejandro Menendez in red-and-gold are: Acosta, Borja Gomez and Colado. #KolkataDerby
— Dhiman Sarkar (@DhimanHT) December 16, 2018
2 utterly stupid yellow cards from Eze and he's sent off in the #KolkataDerby. Not exactly living up to his name, is he? EB take advantage and score from the free-kick. #QEBMB
— Rohith Nair (@RohithNair) December 16, 2018
If this is a offside then it's not a football, we are playing haantuball..
Pc- Subhadeep Dutta#KolkataDerby@abpanandatv @gbsaltlake @EBRPFC pic.twitter.com/XX6XEMABD1— Indranil Bandyopadhyay (@ib087) December 16, 2018
#KolkataDerby This Refree Venkatesh has singlehandedly spoiled the match by some atrocious decisions .He may be promising but still not fit enough to handle a Derby where a superb Justin back volley goal reminded you of Shyam Thapa ! And of course there is Dikka.What a match !
— Gautam Bhattacharya (@gbsaltlake) December 16, 2018
Would have loved to see the @eastbengalfc v @Mohun_Bagan game on @Jalsha_Movies HD.
I do watch quite a few @IndSuperLeague games on it when HD feed is not available on the @StarSportsIndia HD channels. Bengali commentary adds quite a bit of spice too #KolkataDerby— Nikhil Sharma (@nksky) December 16, 2018
What a great game in the @ILeagueOfficial the #kolkataderby great defensive work by the @eastbengalfc and 10men @Mohun_Bagan give a great fight.This type of matches will lift the indian football.Also JOBY JUSTIN is must be in the national team for @AFCCup campgain
— HARIKRISHNAN U🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@HARIKRISHNANU81) December 16, 2018
#kolkataderby what a brilliant game of Football. Absolutely on the edge & nerve-racking. Stood in front of the TV & kept jumping about 🙂
Credit to @Mohun_Bagan for fighting the way they did with 10 men- 2 goals down. @eastbengalfc get a derby win after long !— Nikhil Sharma (@nksky) December 16, 2018
#KolkataDerby hateful,nasty,shameless Refereeing by today's REFEREE Venkatesh…incompetent…singlehandedly spoiled the match…shame shame shame #IndianFootball
— Asim Mahanti (@AsimMahanti) December 16, 2018
64,000 attended the Kolkata Derby today @IndSuperLeague @IMGReliance : I would like to thank all @ATKFC Fans @ATKFans for being so generous by attending this fixture #EBvMB #QEBFC #KolkataDerby
— Adrian Legendheart (@AdrianLegend008) December 16, 2018
East Bengal win the Kolkata Derby after 7 encounters and following 33 months . There are no better stat for e Red and Gold Supporters . Presently they can have a superior sleep today .
— Shibam Das (@ShibamMedia) December 16, 2018
@IndSuperLeague MY FOOT @eastbengalfc v @Mohun_Bagan is the match of India!!! #KolkataDerby ..
CHEAP @StarSportsIndia cannot broadcast in HD!! @StarFootball is a FARCE— Crimson Moon (@CrimsonMooooon) December 16, 2018
What an overhead GOAL from Jobby Justin! 🔥🔥
This is what happens when you don't include an in-form player in the National Team, he rises to the occasion and roars louder than ever.#KolkataDerby #QEBMB— Kunal Singhal (@kunalsinghal_) December 16, 2018
Scenes of chaos outside the Salt Lake Stadium ahead of the #KolkataDerby.
Fans of both sides claim harassment and clashes from the opposite side. pic.twitter.com/nUuQfJsNal
— The Bridge (@TheBridge_IN) December 16, 2018
First half the ref was in the favor of East Bengal m
Second half starts and now he's switched sides. He's favoring Mohun Bagan now 😂🤣#QEBMB #KolkataDerby #HeroILeague #IndianFootball— Shanu 🇦🇷♥ (@secureboy23) December 16, 2018
East Bengal should send a 'Thank You' message to the Referee for helping them to defeat the mighty Mohun Bagan after a long 33 weeks. #KolkataDerby
— Swagato Roy (@RoySwagato) December 16, 2018
Finally East Bengal breaks the jinx and gets one win over Mohun Bagan!!
It was another exciting derby..
No matter what this derby still remains the Pinnacle of the Indian football..#QEBMB #kolkataderby— Abhinav kaka (@kabhinav08) December 16, 2018
Of late, the term ‘DERBY’ is being used so frequently in Indian Football. In India, there will only be one big ‘DERBY’ The #KolkataDerby. The rivalries, the passion, the history behind it, unreal! @eastbengalfc @Mohun_Bagan @ILeagueOfficial. Looking forward to this one!
— Alwin Lawrence (@alwinlawrence2) December 16, 2018
After almost 3 years , we won the derby. I can't describe my feelings ❤️💛. estamos con usted señor @Alemengar ❤️💛 #JoyEastBengal #KolkataDerby #IndianFootball #EastBengalFC pic.twitter.com/OA0HevuhRj
— Sankha Chakraborty (@iamsankho) December 16, 2018
Much improved second half from @MohunBagan especially with 10 men, #MB were actually playing better with 10 men, #MB were playing Quick Possession Based Football with 10 men, but lost. #EB won a #KolkataDerby after 2 years.#KolkataDerby #QEBMB
— arya (@Iam_Aryalok) December 16, 2018
