Mumbai City FC reclaimed the top spot in the Indian Super League following a 2-0 win over Kerala Blasters FC at the GMC Stadium, in Bambolim, on Saturday.
First-half goals from Adam Le Fondre (3rd minute) and Hugo Boumous (11th minute) ensured full points for Mumbai, who are now unbeaten in their last seven games.
Both teams made a couple of changes to their line-ups, Boumous and Mandar Rao Dessai returned to Sergio Lobera's starting XI while for Kerala, Costa Nhamoinesu and Lalthathanga Khawlhring were named ahead of Abdul Hakku and Rahul KP.
Mumbai punished Kerala for an early error which gifted them the first goal in the third minute. Boumous latched on to a Vicente Gomez back pass but the Frenchman was brought down in the box by Nhamoinesu as he won the penalty.
Le Fondre netted his sixth goal of the campaign despite Kerala goalkeeper Albino Gomes getting a leg to the ball. Mumbai doubled their lead in the 11th minute and this time as Boumous slotted past Albino.
Kerala took time to get into the game and had a couple of tries at the rival goal forcing Amrinder Singh into action.
The Mumbai keeper first denied Gomez with a diving save before he stopped Sahal Abdul Samad's effort.
Kerala created chances as they tried to get back in the game but the Mumbai defenders were an equal match. Mumbai were guilty of squandering yet another chance just before the break as Boumous cut the ball back to Le Fondre, but his chip sailed over the bar.
Kerala continued to pile on the pressure in the second half. They created chances early and nearly pulled a goal back in the 55th minute but Jordan Murray's effort was ruled offside.
With less than 20 minutes on the clock, Mumbai had the chance to further extend their lead when they were awarded yet another penalty after Boumous was fouled in the box but this time he was denied by Albino.
At the other end, Amrinder came up with a brilliant save when he parried Gomez's long-range shot which deflected off the crossbar as the Mumbai goalkeeper registered his fifth clean sheet of the season.
