Sunil Chhetri’s hat-trick helps Mumbai City defeat NorthEast United

by Siddharth Yadav October 29, 2015

Mumbai City FC made it three consecutive victories at Dr D.Y Patil Stadium after thumping NorthEast United 5-1 in HERO Indian Super League on Wednesday evening. Indian International Sunil Chhetri bagged hattrick for the host with Sonny Norde and Skipper Frantz Bertin scoring apiece.

A first-half strike from Boithang Haokip levelled the score for NorthEast but it just turned out to be a consolation goal for the visitors in a thoroughly dominating performance from Mumbai, which moves them to second in the Hero Indian Super League table.

Nicolas Anelka didn’t made much changes to his side as Skipper Frantz Bertin made his way into the starting line-up in place of Juan Aguilera and Subhash Singh started ahead of Gabirel Fernandes.

The visitors saw marquee player Simao Sabrosa starting the match for the first time this campaign. In form Argentinian Nicolas Velez also started upfront alongside Silas.

Just inside ten minutes, NorthEast United’s Nicolas Velez turned into space and got a speculative shot away but it flashed past the post. The Argentinian was becoming a serious threat for Mumbai City FC.

Three minutes later, Nicolas Velez once again tested Mumbai City. This time his initial shot was saved by Subrata Paul, on the rebound Velez tried again but failed to keep his shot on target.

On 25^th minutes, the referee punished Carlos Lopez of NorthEast United for handling inside the box by awarding a penalty to Mumbai City FC. Chhetri stepped up to convert without hesitation and dinked TP Rehenesh with a panenka penalty to give the host a much needed lead.

Although Mumbai City FC’s joy was short live when Boithang Haokip scored a stunner for NorthEast United as his left footed in-swinging free kick beat Subrata Paul at his near post to level the match at 1-1.

The hosts almost restored their lead on 38^th minutes when Pavel Cmovs headed at goal from Sonny Norde’s corner. His header rattled the bar as NorthEast United FC breathed a sigh of relief.

It was Sunil Chhetri again who was in the right place at the right time. Sonny Norde did brilliantly to find Subhash Singh in the box who headed square across the box where Chhetri stood unmarked to tap the ball into an open net and help Mumbai go in at the break leading by two goals to one.

In the second-half, the host needed just three minutes to increase their lead as Sunil Chhetri scored from the spot, yet again and completed his hattrick. Chhetri also became the first Indian player to score a hattrick in HERO Indian Super League.

After his hattrick, Sunil Chhetri has also become the top scorer of HERO indian Super League with six goals in just four games.

The hosts were out of sight three minutes later when they made it 4-1. Sonny Norde was next to get his name on the score sheet by scoring his first Hero Indian Super League goal after flooring Rehenesh with a dummy before calmly finishing to put the tie on the bed.

Skipper Frantz Bertin put the icing on the cake as he headed in the fifth goal of the night for Mumbai City FC as the host ran away as deserved winners.

For his hattrick, Mumbai City FC’s Sunil Chhetri was awarded with “Hero of the Match” award.