East Bengal have defeated Bengaluru FC 2-1 in a huge match for the ISL’s top 6 race. The Red and Gold brigade are now placed sixth, thanks to another vital goal from Cleiton Silva.
Saul Crespo continued his scoring streak, converting a penalty earned 18 minutes into the first half. The Spaniard has been offered a two-year extension by East Bengal, and reminded fans exactly what he brings to the table with his performance.
In the second half, Sunil Chhetri took one step closer to being ISL’s top scorer of all-time with his own penalty. Harmanjot Khabra conceded a handball near the hour mark to concede the spot kick. And the Bengaluru FC captain took his tally to 61 ISL goals, two behind top scorer Bart Ogbeche, upon scoring.
East Bengal pick up huge win in top 6 race
3 – @SaulCrespo23 has become the second player to score in three consecutive games for @eastbengal_fc in the @IndSuperLeague after Cleiton Silva did so between December 2022 and January 2023. Juggernaut.#EBFCBFC #ISL #ISL10 #LetsFootball #EastBengalFC pic.twitter.com/fKFIgZV8EE
— OptaJeev (@OptaJeev) April 7, 2024
East Bengal needed a spark to restore their lead, and they achieved it through their captain, Cleiton Silva. The talismanic striker headed past Gurpreet Singh Sandhu from very close range, beating his marker by the finest of margins to give his side the lead again.
The fans sprung back to life at the Salt Lake Stadium, and East Bengal played with a renewed vigour in the final 20 minutes of the game. Chances came up for both teams on each end, but neither team was clinical enough to convert them.
Souvik Chakrabarti will be out for East Bengal’s final game of the season against Punjab, in what could be a significant blow for the team. However, they will have to find a way to win, if they are to keep their chances of qualifying alive.
