Siliguri: A seasoned campaigner and an enthusiastic youngster made it a super Sunday for Mohun Bagan as they recorded a 2-1 victory over archrivals East Bengal in the I-League Derby here.
A near-packed Kanchenjungha Stadium saw Bagan come good in their 'home' match, with Sony Norde and Azharuddin Mallick striking in the first half itself.
East Bengal, who were overshadowed in the first 45 minutes, tried to up the tempo after the breather. But they had to wait till the dying minutes of the match when Rowllin Borges pulled one back. But that was hardly any consolation for East Bengal, who slipped one spot and are now trailing Bagan on the points table.
Bagan did dominate the first half, but they had to wait till the 35th minute to take the lead. With Romeo Fernandes obstructing Sony Norde, the referee, Rowan Arumughan, awarded a free kick. East Bengal hearts must have sunk a bit since it was in the area that Norde is known to prefer. And the Haitian did find the net.
His attempt was so precise that custodian Rehenesh TP did not have a chance as Norde's shot curled in at the top corner. A goal down, the red-and-gold brigade seemed to go a little awry and they hardly got a realistic chance at goal.
Norde did have two more chances at goal in the first half, but it was left to the 19-year-old Mallick to double Bagan's tally. And he did it in style in the 42nd minute.
Keeping his marker Laltlamuana at bay, his clinical chip from almost 24 yards kissed the inside of the far post and went in. Rehenesh, who seemed clueless, could only stand and watch. His shirtless celebrations may cause a few frowns, but given that he scored in the Derby, his exuberance was perhaps justified.
East Bengal tried to add an edge to their attack by substituting Abinash Ruidas with Chris Payne in the 38th minute, but the Australian did not really come good on Sunday.
The second half saw East Bengal trying to up the tempo and create more opportunities as the gaps in Bagan's defence became more and more evident.
But the goal stayed elusive for East Bengal till the dying minutes of added time when Borges scored. But it was too little too late for East Bengal.
The frustration in the East Bengal camp was perhaps most evident in the 66th minute, when Willis Plaza punched Anas Edathodika on the face and was given marching orders. For Bagan, the victory notwithstanding, the form of Duffy and Anas should be of some concern. Also, the defence looked rather porous, with an off colour Raju Gaikwad, and had the East Bengal frontline been a bit more accurate, the result might have been different.
TEAMS
Mohun Bagan: Debjit Majumdar; Pritam Kotal, Anas Edathodika, Eduardo, Raju Gaikwad (Prabir Das, 53), Azharuddin Mallick (Jeje Lalpekhlua, 79) , Katsumi Yusa, Sehnaj Singh, Sony Norde, Balwant Singh (Souvik Chakraborty, 90+1), Darryl Duffy.
East Bengal: TP Rehenesh, Rahul Bheke, Ivan Bukenya, Gurwinder Singh, Robert Lalthlamuana, Mehtab Hussain, Rowllin Borges, Romeo Fernandes (Jackichand Singh, 87), Wedson Anselme, Avinash Ruidas (Chris Payne, 38), Willis Plaza.
Referee: Rowan Arumughan
Man of the Match: Sony Norde
