Mumbai City FC consolidated their lead at the top of the table with a 4-2 win over Jamshedpur FC in a gripping Hero Indian Super League match that ebbed and flowed from start to finish, in Fatorda, Goa, on Thursday.
Cassio Gabriel (3rd minute), Bipin Singh (17th) Igor Angulo (24th) and substitute Ygor Catatau (70th) were on the scoresheet for Mumbai, who now are four points clear at the top with 12 points from five matches.
Komal Thatal (48th minute) and Eli Sabia (55th) found the back of the net for Jamshedpur, who remain in second place with eight points from five games.
The skilful Gabriel gave his side the lead in just the third minute. Ahmed Jahouh's short corner was played onto the path of Gabriel just outside the box, and the Brazilian's curler found its way into the net.
Two minutes later, Jamshedpur nearly got the leveller but Greg Stewart found only found the 'keeper after outfoxing Rahul Bheke.
There was no stopping Mumbai though as the defending champions doubled their lead in the 17th minute.
A good spell of passing football set Gabriel free on the right flank.
The 29-year old beat Eli Sabia with pace to enter the box, sending across a delectable cross for an unmarked Bipin to tap in.Seven minutes later, Mumbai made it 3-0, sending strong message to the other teams in the league that their shock defeat to Hyderabad FC was probably a one-off. The finish was all about Angulo's brilliance although Gabriel was once again at the heart of it, this time with a perfectly weighted pass.
Angulo left Eli Sabia for dead with his first touch to turn and rifle home a scorching left-footer that whizzed past TP Rehenesh.
Jamshedpur turned on the heat after the break, scoring twice in the space of seven minutes. First, Stewart found Thatal in space with the latter cutting into his right and unleashing a powerful shot that deflected off a defender to wrong-foot Mohammad Nawaz in the Mumbai City FC goal.
Eli Sabia atoned for his mistakes in the first period with a second a few minutes later. The 33-year old leapt high to nod the ball into an empty net, making the most of a defensive error from Bheke.
Angulo made way for Catatau in the 68th minute and the Brazilian made an instant impact with a smashing finish from close range. Jamshedpur pushed Mumbai to the brink but it was too little, too late as Owen Coyle's side succumbed to their first loss of the season.
