ISL: Goa on top in a six-goal thriller

The goal fest began with Lenny Rodrigues giving Goa the lead in the 27th minute. The visitor doubled its advantage with a Ferran Corominas (45’) strike just before half-time. The second half saw three goals in the space of ten minutes. Mumbai City equalised in quick succession through Sarthak Golui (49’) and Souvik Chakrabarti (55’), but Hugo Boumous (59’) put the away side back in lead once again.

Carlos Pena (89’) scored another late in the game to rub further salt into Mumbai City’s wounds. Sergio Lobera’s team picked up its second win of the season and is atop with eight points after four rounds. MCFC is fifth with four points in its kitty. Mumbai City refused to sit back, but the host failed to test Mohammed Nawaz’s goal.

This allowed the tourist to get back into the game and draw first blood. In the 27th minute, a Brandon Fernandes corner-kick found Lenny, who had enough space inside the box to take a touch, turn and place his shot into the bottom left corner. Mumbai City responded well and pressed high up the field.

Bipin Singh’s cross from the flank was met by Subhasish Bose, who headed it into the path of Diego Carlos. The Brazilian forward hit the side-netting from a dangerous position, leaving the Goan defence relieved. At the stroke of half-time, Goa carved the Mumbai defence open with a simple yet effective passing move.

Boumous fed Seriton Fernandes in behind Bose and the full-back’s cross into the centre was well received by Corominas. The Spaniard took a touch and found the net to score the Gaurs’ second. The host came out for the restart with renewed vigour and hit back immediately.

Mohammed Larbi’s corner-kick from the left found Sarthak at the far post and the defender, left completely unmarked, nodded a looping header into the net. Mumbai City soon pulled level courtesy of a neat finish by Souvik. Bipin’s cross into the box was initially cleared but the ball fell to Raynier Fernandes, who laid it off for Souvik to execute an excellent strike into the bottom corner.

With the sides level and nothing to separate them, the match opened up. Goa regained the lead when Mourtada Fall rose highest inside the box to a flick a free-kick towards Boumous. The 24-year-old midfielder’s header bulged the net, leaving Amrinder Singh with no chance. Goa added a fourth to seal the win in the 89th minute.

Edu Bedia’s free-kick from the right flank was met by Pena, who smartly flicked it past the goalkeeper.