Close to 1,00,000 spectators had converged at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan, unsure if the season’s first derby would have anything memorable to offer. The crowds returned home after an evening of gripping action, a flurry of goals and an unprecedented scoreline.

Mohun Bagan came from behind to edge past arch-rivals East Bengal 5-3 in their fourth-round I-League match. As Bagan drilled five goals past the East Bengal goalkeeper, the hero of the match was their Nigerian striker Chidi Edeh, who became the first player in the history of Mohun Bagan-East Bengal matches to strike four times in a game.

Karim Bencherifa’s boys scored through Chidi (17th, 33rd, 46th and 66th minute) and newcomer Manish Maithani (22nd). For East Bengal , Yusif Yakubu scored twice (35th and 44th), while Nirmal Chhetri opened the scoring with his eighth-minute strike. Bagan advanced to six points from four outings, while Subhas Bhowmick’s boys remained on two points from four.

Strong start

Bhowmick’s side looked the better team during the opening stages of the game. Nirmal Chhetri made it 1-0 for East Bengal in the eighth minute when he capitalised on a set-piece movement. After the first 15 minutes, East Bengal were giving the impression that it was going to be their night.

Bagan, though, equalised in the 17th minute through Chidi, after Surkumar Singh set him up with a solo run down the right. Five minutes later, it was 2-1 in favour of Bagan as young Maithani joined the party. Defender Govin Singh failed to clear the ball, only to find the youngster latching onto the chance and converting it with a right-footer.

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