East Bengal scored thrice in four minutes to rout Mohammedan Sporting 3-0 in an eighth National Football League match in Kolkata on Thursday.

A double strike by Brazilian Cristiano Junior, supplemented by a gem of a goal by Bhaichung Bhutia -- all in
a wink in the second session, saw the defending champions through with comfort before a sizeable crowd at the Salt Lake stadium.

The victory enabled East Bengal further consolidated their position atop the league with 40 points from 18 matches. They have a five-point lead over nearest rivals Dempo Sports Club of Goa.

Mohammedan Sporting, on the other hand, are in the relegation zone with 18 points from as many outings.

Junior broke the ice with a fine header off a Dipankar Roy centre from the left in the 61st minute.

Two minutes later,  a similar floater from Sasthi Duley was converted by the Brazilian, taking his personal tally to 12 goals in the league, just one short of top scorer Yusif Yakabu.

East Bengal struck again in the 65th minute to complete the tally, when Bhutia nicely chest-trapped a Malswamtuanga pass and fired in a half-volley that rammed into the net past a helpless Sporting custodian Gumpe Rime.