Former champions Dempo registered a thumping 3-1 win over perennial powerhouses East Bengal, in an I-League encounter here at the Kalyani stadium on Thursday.
An early goal from captain Clifford Miranda set the ball rolling for the Goan side before second-half strikes from Beto (54th, 76th) eventually lifted Dempo to their first win of the season. The solitary goal for East Bengal came through substitute Baljit Singh Sahni in the 86th minute.
It was a sloppy display for the home side with Edeh Chidi missing a penalty while Uga Okpara was sent off in the 75th minute.
Dempo now have six points from five matches, while East Bengal on three from two matches.
East Bengal were caught unawares as early as in the third minute when Billy Mehmet’s low cross from the right was well executed by Miranda putting it past Abhijit Mondal.
Dempo doubled the lead when Beto fired home from close range after Abhijit had failed to hold on to a Miranda corner.
More misery was in store for the fans in the 74th minute when Uga Okpara who had already been booked in the 10th minute, this time brought down substitute Joy Ferraro to be sent off as Beto converted the penalty to complete the tally.
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