Kolkata, Feb 7 Mohun Bagan climbed to the top spot with a Bhaichung Bhutia strike to defeat Sporting Clube de Goa 1-0 and set up an I-League record of nine wins on the trot here Friday.
The seasoned Bhutia found the winner in the 76th minute to take Bagan’s tally to 30 points from outings. Sporting, who led the table before this match, slipped to the second spot with 28 points after playing the same number of matches as Bagan.
Substitute Lalkamal Bhowmick’s corner was ably side-volleyed by Jose Barreto and Bhutia avoided two Sporting players to slot home with a left footer after a superb half-turn that left rival goalkeeper Felix D’Souza stranded. Bagan, whose attackes were more penetrative, could have scored in the opening half itself.
A minute from the breather, James Singh crossed from the right and Bhutia headed the ball that crashed against the far post before ricocheting off Sporting Clube goalie Felix D’Souza who seemed to be inside the line when the ball hit him. However, referee P.K. Bose allowed play to go on.
In the second half, Bhutia’s header was once again saved off the line by Joseph Pereira.
Sporting had a couple of chances too, but Bagan custodian Sangram Mukherjee brought off fine saves to thwart Eliza Junior and Nathaniel Amos.