Two set-pieces sealed Mohammedan Sporting's fate as East Bengal went atop the table with a 2-0 win in the 10th ONGC National Football League in Kolkata on Sunday.
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Cameroonian Guy Ndem and Sikkimese sniper Bhaichung Bhutia profited from a goalkeeping error and a slice of luck to fashion East Bengal's sixth victory in the league at the flood-lit Salt Lake stadium.
With 21 points from ten matches, East Bengal emerged as the league leader overtaking Mumbai's Mahindra United who are on 18 points from eight outings.
Mohammedan Sporting remained on 14 points from 11 matches.
The red and yellow brigade shot into the lead in the second minute as Sporting custodian Gopal Das made a mess of a Ndem free-kick taken from 25 yards.
Das let the shot drop before him and was foxed by the bounce as the ball went in.
East Bengal dominated for the rest of the half but failed to bolster the lead with the Sporting defence putting up valiant resistance.
However, the complexion of the match changed after the breather with East Bengal literally toying with their rivals.
Bhutia scored the insurance goal in the 52nd minute when his free-kick fortuitously deflected off Sporting defender Mohammad Mukhtar and dropped into the corner of the net giving Das no chance.
