In a sterling display at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan (YBK) here, United’s Brazilian duo of Joshimar (67th and 70th) and new recruit Edmilson (33rd) brought about the Bagan downfall and helped their side collect three full points from the match.
Bagan, however, did not give up without a fight and reduced the margin through medios Marcos Pereira (15th) Rakesh Masih (74th).
From the start of the match, nothing went right for the Karim Bencherifa-side as they suffered an early jolt when ace Brazilian striker Jose Ramirez Barreto had to leave the field with a muscle pull in the 24th minute.
Pereira gave Bagan the lead from a James Singh corner.
United earned a penalty in the 31st minute when Edmilson was brought down by Bagan goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee inside the box. Edmilson brought the equaliser by converting the penalty.
Joshimar took a cross from right and beat Sangram in an aerial battle to head it home and give his side a 2-1 lead.
The Brazilian completed his brace three minutes later when he beat Bagan defenders to give United a 3-1 lead.
Bagan reduced the margin when Masih utilised a Pereira cross to score past Nandy.
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