Dempo ease past Mohun Bagan

While Miranda struck in the 30th and 74th minutes, Climax Lawrence and Ranti Martins slammed one apeice in the 26th and 47th respectively as Goans ran their Kolkatan rivals ragged in thumping fashion at the Nehru stadium. Subair Muritala Ali restored some pride for the visitors, scoring a minute from time.

Slow off the blocks, Dempo found their rhythm midway through the first half before stroking ahead in the 26th minute through a swift move. Roberto Silva sent a defence splitting pass to Lawrence, the striker finishing the move with a fine diving header.

Four minutes later, Martins whipped a cross into the box to Miranda, who chipped it over Bagan goalkeeper Shilton Paul to give Dempo a 2-0 lead. Relentess in their attack, Dempo went 3-0 up within two minutes after resumption when Martins headed sharply past custodian Paul. Miranda added more salt on Bagan’s wounds with his second goal in the 74th minute as Kolkatans slumped to an embarrassing defeat.

After the victory, the defending champions are in fourth place with 24 points from seventeen matches played. Bagan have twenty five points from eighteen matches and lie in sixth. Salgaocar lead the table with 40 points from seventeen with Churchill four points behind the leaders having played a game more.