East Bengal FC delivered a statement performance at the Salt Lake Stadium on Monday, dismantling a 10-man Mohammedan Sporting Club 7-0 in a one-sided ISL clash. The emphatic victory not only marked a return to winning ways but also highlighted East Bengal’s attacking strength and their opponent’s ongoing struggles this season.
The home side wasted no time asserting dominance, pushing forward from the opening whistle in search of an early breakthrough. Their intent paid off in just the seventh minute when Anwar Ali unleashed a powerful left-footed strike from long range to give East Bengal the lead. The early goal set the tone for a relentless attacking display that Mohammedan Sporting failed to contain.
Defensive lapses from the visitors soon compounded their problems. A series of errors inside the penalty area resulted in three penalties for East Bengal. Youssef Ezzejjari stepped up confidently to convert from the spot in the 13th and 54th minutes, while Saul Crespo added another in the 37th minute. Each successful conversion further dented Sporting’s morale as they struggled to regroup.
The situation worsened midway through the first half when Joseph Lalmuanawma received his second booking and was sent off in the 35th minute. Reduced to 10 men, Mohammedan Sporting found themselves under constant pressure, forced deep into their own half as East Bengal continued to attack in waves.
The second half followed a similar script, with East Bengal controlling possession and dictating the pace. Vishnu PV added to the tally in the 74th minute, finishing off a well-worked set-piece. Just four minutes later, Anwar Ali struck again, this time converting from a corner with a sharp angled finish to register his second goal of the match.
As the game moved into stoppage time, substitute Nandhakumar Sekar capped off the rout with a brilliant solo effort, sealing a comprehensive seven-goal victory.
Mohammedan Sporting, still searching for their first point of the campaign, offered little resistance throughout the contest. The heavy defeat leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table, raising serious concerns about their form and defensive organization.
For East Bengal, the result lifts them to fourth place with 11 points from six matches, keeping them firmly in contention and sending a strong message to the rest of the league.
