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Bengaluru FC returned to winning ways again after their last defeat as they completed the double over playoff hopefuls Mumbai City FC, cruising to an important 3-1 victory away from home.
The Blues took their win tally to seven in 11 games as they defeated the Mumbai outfit comfortably with the help of a brace from their talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri along with a free-kick goal from Miku. The away side, who had dominated most of the game, had a bit of a scare in the final 10 minutes of the game as Mumbai tried to mount a comeback with a goal from second-half substitute Leo Costa. However, his efforts finally proved to be in vain.
Bengaluru temporarily go top of the table toppling Chennayin City FC who have a game in hand. Mumbai, on the other hand, are now tied at points with Kerala Blasters at 5th position and will be ruing a missed opportunity to break into the playoff positions albeit temporarily.
Mumbai City FC
Amrinder Singh (5/10) - The Mumbai keeper had a torrid time in goal. Although pulled off some decent saves early in the first half, Amrinder was to blame for a poorly setup wall as the hosts conceded the third goal from Miku
Mehrajuddin Wadoo (5/10) - Mehrajuddin failed to make any impact defensively as the former India defender produced a meek display as he saw his team concede three poor goals.
Lucian Goian (4.5/10) - The Mumbai City captain was substituted in the 57th minute to make way for a tactical attacking change but the Romanian, who's usually very reliable, just had a bad day at the office.
Raju Gaikwad (5/10) - The fullback made some decent runs forward at times early in the first half but an injury forced him off the pitch in the 31st minute.
Gerson Viera (5.5/10) - The Brazilian had some decent runs up the pitch but he fizzled out as the game progressed. The defender, who lost his cool in the second half at times, was to blame for conceding the freekick at the edge of the box for BFC's third goal.
Everton Santos (6.5/10) - Everton was one of the brighter sparks for the Mumbai side as he created plenty of goal scoring opportunities for his teammates time and time again, but poor finishing in the final third cost the side.
Sehnaj Singh (6/10) - Sehnaj, who returned to the side after being absent from the last match, had a decent match putting in good blocks to deny the BFC attack and even creating some chances in the final third in the second half
Abinash Ruidas (5.5/10) - Ruidas had a comparatively poor game. But he looked to grow more and more frustrated as the game progressed. The midfielder could have easily been sent off for a dangerous two-footed tackle on Lenny Rodrigues late in the second half but escaped unscathed.
Thiago Santos (5.5/10) - Thiago was overrun in midfield for most of the game and failed to make much contribution to his side. The Brazilian midfielder had a poor game by his standards and looked lacklustre in the second half.
Achille Emana (6/10) - Emana looked dangerous as he bombed into the Bengaluru half, making dangerous runs and attempting strikes on goal from long ranges. The Cameroonian made some good chances but failed to make them count.
Balwant Singh (6/10) - Balwant had a good game up front and took some dangerous attacking positions, but poor let him down.The striker gave away a soft penalty early in the first half which opened the books for BFC. He had a brilliant header saved by Gurpreet early in the first half and even got some good chances as the game progressed.
Substitutes
Davinder Singh (4/10) - Davinder who came on the pitch at the 31-minute mark of the game replacing the injured Raju Gaikwad, couldn't make anything of his opportunity and had a poor game.
Leo Costa (7/10) - The Brazilian, who had been in and out of the side in earlier matches after picking up an injury in the first game of the season, made a positive impact as he came on in the 57th minute, questioning the BFC defence and pulling one back for his side.
Marcio Rozario (5/10)- Rozario came on in the 69th minute replacing Thiago Santos
Bengaluru FC
Gurpreet Singh (6.5/10) - Gurpreet made an important save early in the game, but apart from that he had it quite easy in the second half barring the goal from Leo Costa owing to a defensive lapse.
Rahul Bheke (6.5/10) - The fullback had a good game, bombing forward, making positive runs into the opposition half and even providing defensive stability for his side when needed at the back
Juanan (7/10) - The Spaniard had a decent day at the back as he looked firm in his defensive role, intercepting Mumbai attacks and building play from the back
Boithang Haokip (7/10) - The pacy wingback had a great game, both defensively and offensively, as he made the most of his speed and made some great attacking runs. Haokip looked dangerous when he was in the opposition half and worried the Mumbai defence with his menacing runs.
John Johnson (7.5/10) - The Englishman who has been one of BFC's standout performers over the years, pulled off yet another great defensive display as he looked rock solid at the back.
Harmanjot Khabra (8/10)- Khabra, who was named the fittest player at the end of the match, had a fantastic game in defence, holding up play and even creating chances for his side's attacking players. An experienced man, he looked comfortable when on the ball and made good interceptions and even created good opportunities for his attackers.
Dimas Delgado (7/10) - The Spanish midfielder had another good game for The Blues as he bossed his way about in the middle of the park, thwarting opposition attacks as well as making chances for his own side.
Erik Paartalu (7.5/10) - The Australian defensive midfielder who signed for BFC this season proved his worth once again with another stellar display just ahead of his backline, stopping Mumbai from creating dangerous attacking situations.
Miku (8/10) - The Venezuelan attacker maintained his form even in 2018 as the highest goal scorer for the Bengaluru outfit. The attacker, who worked hard throughout the match, had plenty of chances but failed to deliver the final decisive blow. However, he slotted in a driven free-kick from just outside the box late in the game to seal the game for the former I-League Champions.
Sunil Chhetri (9/10) - Captain Sunil Chhetri proved his worth once again as he helped his side by scoring a brace against his former side in Mumbai City FC. The Indian captain showed again why he's still lauded so highly and again put out an amazing attacking performance.
Udanta Singh (8/10) - The BFC speedster looked threatening throughout the match and created plenty of goal scoring opportunities, the youngster proved again why coach Alberto Roca has so much faith in him and made good enough impact to warrant a start in the side's AFC ties that are coming up.
Substitutes
Alwyn George (5/10)- Came on in the 74th minute replacing Boithang Haokip at the back. Proved a good substitution as he kept the defensive cohesiveness at the back
Lenny Rodrigues (NA)- Came on in the 81st minute replacing Udanta Singh
Daniel Lalhlimpuia (NA) - Came on in the 87th minute replacing captain Sunil Chhetri
