Playing their first match of the New Year 2025, reigning champions Mumbai City FC overcame a late challenge from East Bengal FC before registering a narrow 3-2 win at the sprawling Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata  in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25.

The Islanders dominated the first half, taking a two-goal lead, with goals from captain Lallianzuala Chhangte (39’) and Nikolaos Karelis (43’). Despite East Bengal pulling one back through an Own Goal by MCFC defender Sahil Panwar (66’) and later finding an equalizer through David Lalhlansanga (83’). A late strike by Greek striker Karelis’ (87’), his eighth goal of the season not only ensured all three points for Mumbai City FC, but also a fifth place in the league table with 23 points from 14 outings.

The crucial win, their sixth in nine outings against the seasoned  Red and Gold Brigade, comes at the back of their 2024 year ending disappointing show at their home base in Mumbai against NorthEast United FC, which resulted in a 0-3 loss for the Petr Kratky coached side, a result that ended their four-game unbeaten streak and saw them slip to the seventh place in the standings.

Mumbai City earlier set the tone from the inception for a high-octane clash with a fast breakaway move that saw Chhangte put a through ball for his nippy winger Bipin Singh two minutes into play. The latter's measured cross found striker Vikram Partap Singh whose header went off target.

The trio of Vikram, Bipin, and Karelis consistently tested the home team's defence. In the 14th minute, Bipin launched a well-placed diagonal pass across the pitch to Vikram who did well to nod it down and created space for a shot, but his effort sailed wide of the mark on the left post.

In the 28th minute, nimble footwork from Vikram saw him lose his marker and burst down the left flank to deliver a dangerous ball to Mumbai City’s leading goal scorer Karelis, but the outstretched 32-year-old couldn't find the connection.

Ten minutes later, in the 39th minute, Brandon Fernandes threaded a sharp, weighted ball from distance to an unmarked Chhangte who outsmarted his centre marker before slotting it into the back of the net on the right corner, to give the Islanders a well-earned lead. In the process the talismanic winger ended a seven-match goal drought much to the relief of his team mates, after having come close to scoring goals umpteen times in his teams’ previous league engagements.

Two minutes before halftime, Yoell Van Nieff’s long ball ricocheted to find Karelis in a dangerous area. Karelis' first attempt was denied by the on rushing goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill, but showed presence of mind to scoop up the rebound to double Mumbai City’s lead with his right foot.

In the 44th minute, Mumbai City made their first substitution, with Jayesh Rane replacing Brandon on the pitch.

The Islanders continued their form in the second half. Karelis found himself one-on-one with the keeper yet again, set up by Jayesh Rane, but his left-footed shot was kept out.

East Bengal FC pulled one back in the 66th minute when Mumbai City inadvertently conceded an own goal while attempting to keep out Dimitrios Diamantakos' lateral pass from the right post at close range, which reduced the deficit much to the delight of the home fans.

The bonus goal acted as a catalyst as the Oscar Bruzon-coached unit stretched the visitors defence thereafter, going out wide, exploring spaces at the centre, and winning the occasional set-piece to put the opposition behind. In the 83rd minute, a corner kick led to the equaliser for the Kolkata-based side following Hector Yuste measured header on David Lalhlansanga’s path at the centre of the box, and the latter used his left foot to send the ball into the bottom left corner past Mumbai City custodian TP Rehenesh.

The hosts joy was short-lived though, as Mumbai City FC snatched the winner four minutes later, with Karelis scoring his second goal of the night following substitute Nathan Rodrigues (a Navi Mumbai based Reliance Foundation Young Champs graduate)  whose defence splitting delivery down the centre of the box from the left flank.

With a goal advantage the Islanders made a double substitution by replacing experienced Karelis and Bipin with Daniel Lalhlimpuia and Mumbai City FC's latest signing, debutant Prabir Das.

The Islanders made their final change of the night as Karelis and Bipin were substituted for Daniel Lalhlimpuia and Mumbai City FC's latest signing, debutant Prabir Das for much needed match practice.

Following the 3-2 win Mumbai City FC Head Coach Petr Kratky, though delighted with the 3-2 win over their seasoned rivals, felt the team’s performance could have been better after having taken a 2-0 lead in the first half, before East Bengal restored parity with seven minutes on the clock. The Czech coach felt his team needed to do more work to streamline their performances and get back to the levels of last season.

“It's a fantastic achievement to get three points against a very good team with a very good coach. They made it difficult for us especially at the start of the second half as we started dropping deep despite taking a 2-0 lead. It's something that I really don't like,” said Petr Kratky

East Bengal FC Head Coach Oscar Bruzon on the other hand expressed pride in his team’s spirited comeback but acknowledged their struggles after a narrow loss, their eighth of the season and their first after a three-game unbeaten streak, which included two wins. Reflecting on the match, Bruzon described it as a tale of two halves, highlighting the issues that led to their downfall.

In the first half, we were completely exposed and Mumbai City FC were the best team on the pitch. And in the second half, it was the complete opposite. I think we deservedly came back and unfortunately, (for) one individual mistake, we lost the game in the face of significant challenges with injuries and players playing out of position,” said Oscar Bruzon who later emphasised on the need for better game management to improve their current position of 11 in the pool standings.

East Bengal FC next meet the current table toppers Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the much awaited Kolkata Derby on 11 January, whereas Mumbai City FC are set to feature against fourth placed Jamshedpur FC on 12 January.

Result : Mumbai City FC 3 (Lallianzuala Chhangte 39’, Nikolaos Karelis 43’ 87’) beat East Bengal FC 2 (Sahil Panwar OG 66’, David Lalhlansanga 83’). (HT 2-0)

Photo Cover: MCFC captain Lallianzuala Chhangte (L) and Nikolaos Karelis celebrate after scoring goals on a winning cause against EBFC

Photo Above: Action packed moment between MCFC (Blue) and EBFC (Red and Gold) at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata (Photos courtesy ISL)