Mohun Bagan picked up its second straight win, dominating visitors Churchill Brothers 5-0, in an I-League match at the Vidyasagar Stadium, Barasat on Sunday.
Coming after winning a nerve-wrenching Derby against East Bengal, Bagan did not let its spirits slack and went in the hunt from the word go against the big side from Goa.
Liberian Ansumana Kromah opened the account in the 23rd minute when Sheikh Faiaz set him up with a pass outside the Churchill box. Kromah beat defender Monday Osagie’s challenge and used the free space to finish past Churchill goalkeeper James Kithan.
The Cameroon striker Aser Dipanda Dicka doubled the lead 11 minutes later when he was released by a back-heel from Kromah. The top-scorer of the league last season (for Aizawl FC) went into the Churchill box unchallenged and found the net with a left-footed grounder.
Mohun Bagan extended its dominance after the break as Dicka found his second in the 46th minute. It was a better finishing by the Cameroonian as he struck the target on the run with a fine half volley after Faiaz landed a measured cross on the Churchill goalmouth.
Mohun Bagan went up 4-0 by the 49th minute when another mistake by the visitor’s defence freed Kromah inside the striking zone. The Liberian passed it on to an onrushing Faiaz, who just had to jab the ball home. Sony Norde, the most expensive man in the Bagan attack, completed the scoring with a solo effort in the 84th minute.
The win helped Bagan go to the top of the standings, along with Minerva Punjab FC, but the former has a better goal average than the latter.
The result: Mohun Bagan 5 (Anumana Kromah 23, Aser Dipanda 34, 46, Sheikh Faiaz 49, Sony Norde 84) bt Churchill Brothers 0.
