Chennai City FC continued their fine run in the Hero I-League by picking up a 2-1 win over second-placed East Bengal in a topsy-turvy encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. With this victory, they further solidify their position at the top with 10 points from 4 games.
Sandro Rodriguez drew first blood at the dying embers of the first half by curling in a free-kick from just outside the box past the hapless East Bengal custodian. However, the lead was cut short by the home side seven minutes past the halftime break.
Substitute Surabuddin Mallick cut the ball in towards Johnny Acosta who flicked it for Enrique Esqueda. The Mexican U-17 World Cup winner maintained his composure and slotted the ball in an empty net.
It looked as if the game would end in a draw but Rakshit Dagar brought down Pravitto Raju inside the box at the 82nd minute to concede a penalty. Spaniard Nestor Gordillo stepped up to take the spot-kick and sent the keeper the wrong way to restore the lead.
The away side held onto the slender one-goal advantage for the remainder of the game as East Bengal stared at their first defeat in I-League.
The I-League will resume on 15th of November with Shillong Lajong taking on Churchill Brothers at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco Da Gama.
