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Diego Carlos scored the all-important goal as Mumbai City FC defeated NorthEast United FC 1-0 in the Indian Super League match, in Mumbai, on Friday.
The victory helped Mumbai rise to fourth in the league standings with 23 points from 15 games and stay in reckoning for a play-offs berth with three more games left.
Brazilian Carlos netted in the 44rd minute.
Mohamed Larbi's pass was collected in the box by Carlos, who then turned his marker and unleashed a low shot to the far corner.
Earlier, NorthEast earned a free-kick in the eighth minute which was taken by striker Lars Simon Lundevall. He whipped the ball into the box, but midfielder Lalengmawia's header sailed over the bar.
The hosts had a chance in the 14th minute when Larbi made a descent run down the left flank and then put a cross towards the centre of the box which Carlos headed, but it sailed over the bar.
Mohammed Rafique earned a yellow card after he tried to win the ball from Provat Lakra with a sliding tackle on the left, but missed the ball and took down Lakra.
Subsequently, NorthEast earned a free-kick, but were unable to score off it.
Mumbai earned a free-kick from just outside the box, but Amine Chermiti smashed it straight into the NorthEast wall.
In the 28th minute, Rowling Borges found a cross from Carlos and his shot hit a defender and it fell to striker Modou Sougou inside the box. Sougou fired a shot, which hit the bar and was safely cleared on a rebound.
Mumbai could have doubled their lead, but Sougou's right-footed shot missed the goal.
NorthEast had a chance to equalize in the 66th minute, but Lundevall’s lacked power and was collected by Mumbai goalkeeper Amrinder Singh.