Scoring a goal in each half, star-studded Mohun Bagan defeated Viva Kerala 2-0 in the 11th round of the ONGC I-League tie at the Corporation Stadium here today.

Dominating the proceedings right from the start, the visitors seized the opportunity in the 35th minute when their captain Bhaichung Bhutia scored off a brilliant pass from Rehman Mondal.

Although Viva strikers Baba Tunde (Nigeria) and Wisdom Abbey (Ghana) tried their best to bring in the equaliser, the Kolkatans, including custodian Sangram Mukherjee, played extremely well to deny any scoring opportunities.

Substitute Ishaq Ahmed increased the margin for the visitors just before the final whistle. Brazilian stars Douglass, adjudged man of the match, and Baretto played excellent soccer for Bagan.

With this win, Began have increased their overall tally to 17 points to be fourth in the table behind runaway leaders Dempo, JCT and Churchill Brothers while Viva with 12 points are left way behind in the seventh position in the 10-team league.

In Margao, Nigerian Ranti Martins scored three goals to help Dempo Sports Club post a resounding 4-1 win over Sporting Clube-de-Goa to maintain their unbeaten run at Nehru Stadium here today.

Dempo, who led 3-0 at half-time, scored through Martins (15th, 41st, 90th) and compatriot Edeh Chidi (22nd minute). Sporting reduced the margin in the 63rd minute through substitute Fredy Mascarenhas.