EB title hopes jolted after draw vs Mumbai

A sloppy East Bengal squandered a fine lead through Ashutosh Mehta’s late goal and settled for a 2-2 draw against Mumbai FC to see their I-League title hopes get a jolt at the Vidyasagar Krirangan here today.

Trailing by a Steven Dias goal in the 15th minute, East Bengal produced a turnaround with strikes from Ranty Martins (25th) and Bernard Mendy (59th). But their defense was caught napping with Mumbai FC scoring one against the run of play in the 77th minute when Mehta sneaked behind the left with a freeheader to beat goalkeeper Luis Barreto.

With defending champions and table leaders Mohun Bagan (26) and third-placed East Bengal (24) dropping points from their respective matches, it would now brighten the hopes of 2013-14 champions Bengaluru FC who are second with 25 points and will face qualifiers DSK Shivajians in Pune on Wednesday.

Mumbai FC started brilliantly but luck deserted them in the 13th minute when Dias’ 20-yard freekick hit the woodwork as they also failed to score from the rebound.

But Mumbai FC had their way minutes later when East Bengal conceded a freekick with a foul from Barreto as Dias rolled back the years with a brilliant freekick that curled over the wall into the far left corner.