FC Goa returned to winning ways and rose atop the Hero Indian Super League table after 4-2 rout over Mumbai City FC, in Mumbai, on Thursday.
The goal-fest began with Lenny Rodrigues, later adjudged 'Hero of the match', giving Goa the lead in the 27th minute. The visitors doubled it with a Ferran Corominas (45th minute) strike just before half-time.
The second half saw three goals in the space of ten minutes, Mumbai City equalising in through Sarthak Golui (49th minute) and Souvik Chakrabarti (55th) before Hugo Boumous (59th) put the visitors ahead again and Carlos Pena (89th) scored late in the game to rub salt into Mumbai's wounds.
Sergio Lobera's team registered their second victory of the season and are atop with eight points after four rounds. Mumbai are fifth with four.
Mumbai refused to sit back and let Goa pass the ball around in the opening minutes as the hosts failed to test Mohammed Nawaz's goal during that period. This allowed the visitors to get back into the game and draw first blood.
In the 27th minute, a Brandon Fernandes corner-kick found Lenny with just enough space inside the box to take a touch, turn and place his shot into the bottom left corner of the net to score his first goal for the club.
Mumbai responded well and pressed high up the field. Bipin Singh's cross from the flank was met by Subhasish Bose, who headed it into the path of Diego Carlos. The Brazilian striker hit the side-netting from a dangerous position, leaving the Goan defence relieved.
At the stroke of half-time, Goa carved the Mumbai defence open with a simple yet effective passing move. Boumous fed Seriton Fernandes in behind Bose and the full-back's cross into the centre was well-received by Ferran Corominas, who took a touch and found the net for the Gaurs' second.
The hosts came out for the restart with renewed vigour and hit back immediately. Mohammed Larbi's corner-kick from the left found Golui at the far post and the defender, left completely unmarked, nodded a looping header into the net.
Mumbai soon drew level, courtesy a neat finish by Chakrabarti. Bipin's cross into the box was initially cleared but the ball fell to Raynier, who laid it off for Chakrabarti to execute an excellent strike to the bottom corner.
With the sides level and nothing to separate them, the match opened up. Goa regained the lead when Mourtada Fall rose highest inside the box to a flick a free-kick across goal towards Boumous. The 24-year-old midfielder's header bulged the net, leaving Amrinder with no chance.
Goa added a fourth to seal victory in the 89th minute. Edu Bedia's free-kick from the right flank was met by Pena with a smart flick past the goalkeeper
