East Bengal retain top spot, Bagan slip against Churchill

Christopher Payne struck twice to help East Bengal beat Shillong Lajong FC 2-1 and retain their top spot in the I-League points table here on Saturday while Mohun Bagan lost to Churchill Brothers 1-2 away from home.

Australian striker Payne scored in the eighth and 33rd minutes while Aser Dipanda Dicka reduced the magin for the home side in the 64th minute at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.

After playing 12 matches, East Bengal are now at the top spot with 27 points, followed by Aizawl FC — one point behind from as many outings and Mohun Bagan stay put at the third spot with 21 points. Lajong are at the fourth position with 16 points from 11 matches.

Payne made no mistake in tapping home a cross from Robin Singh after Lajong custodian Vishal Kaith failed to collect the ball properly for the visiting side to take an early in the eighth minute.

Within minutes of the first goal, Lajong's Dipanda was brought down inside the box but no penalty was given. Payne struck again in the 33rd minute when he chested down a free kick and made a good finish. The hosts' efforts paid off when Dipanda found the net in the 64th minute.

Samuel Shadap's pass to Dicka was rewarded when Rehenesh missed the ball, leaving the I-League top scorer to head the ball home.

On the other hand, Mohun Bagan blew an early lead to go down to a revamped Churchill Brothers.

In the 24th minute, Sony Norde got past Brandon on the left flank and accurately passed towards Das who headed the ball home.

After going 0-1 in the first half, Churchill came right back into the game in the 65th minute with Anthony Wolfe slotting home a clearance from Seriton that fell for him.

Soon in the 74th minute, Chesterpoul Lyngdoh headed in a Brandon cross that Ferreira failed to clear.

Despite attempts, Bagan failed to get back in the game and missed out on the crucial three points.

Early in the day, Aizawl FC continued their enviable home run as they defeated Mumbai FC 2-0 with Bayi Kamo scoring twice.

After a series of unsuccessful attempts, the home boys took a lead in the 65th minute as Kamo struck a thunderous left-footed shot off Brandon's pass.

Kamo scored another in the 78th minute off Al Amna's pass from outside the box to increase his goal-scoring tally to four this season.