Bhaichung Bhutia struck a brace to help Mohun Bagan beat Air India 2-0 and earn their maiden win in the I-League tournament in Kolkata on Saturday.
Bhutia came up with a class act to score once in each half at the floodlit Salt Lake stadium to boost Mohun Bagan's points to four from the same number of matches.
The city giant had lost two and drawn one game earlier in the first edition of India's professional league. Mumbai outfit Air India remained on three points from four ties.
Bagan shot into the lead in the 21st minute as Lalawmpula went on a long run from near the midfield, played wall pass with Bhutia and then addressed a floater into the box, which Air India defender Dhanchandra Singh failed to clear.
Bhaichung got to the ball, controlled well and shot home giving no chance to goalkeeper Sarat E C.
Bagan got the insurance goal five minutes before the final whistle through a Jose Barreto-Bhutia combined move.
Barreto received the ball on top of the rival box and lobbed for Bhaichung, who kept his cool to get past Dhanchandra Singh and foxed the goalkeeper with a chip before tapping in from close.
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