ISL: East Bengal puts seven past Mohammedan Sporting

East Bengal FC returned to winning ways with a commanding 7–0 victory over a 10-man Mohammedan Sporting Club in their ISL-12 encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Monday.

The home side asserted control from the outset and took the lead in the seventh minute when Anwar Ali unleashed a powerful left-footed strike from distance. Mohammedan Sporting struggled to cope with East Bengal’s attacking intensity, and its defensive weaknesses were quickly exposed. The pressure resulted in three penalties as Sporting defenders repeatedly faltered inside the box.

Spanish striker Youssef Ezzejjari converted twice from the spot in the 13th and 54th minutes while compatriot Saul Crespo made no mistake in the 37th.

The contest effectively ended when winger Joseph Lalmuanawma was sent off in the 35th minute after receiving his second booking, leaving Mohammedan Sporting a man down. The visitors were forced deeper into defence as East Bengal maintained relentless pressure.

In the second half, P.V. Vishnu extended the lead in the 74th minute before Anwar Ali scored his second from a corner-kick in the 78th. Substitute Nandhakumar Sekar completed the rout in stoppage time.

East Bengal moved up to fourth spot with 11 points from six matches while Mohammedan Sporting remained rooted to the bottom without a point.

The result: East Bengal FC 7 (Anwar 7, 78, Ezzejjari 13-pen, 54-pen, Crespo 37-pen, Vishnu 74, Nandhakumar 90+3) bt Mohammedan Sporting 0.