ISL leaders Mumbai City down Hyderabad 2-0

Originally published in The Times of India on December 21, 2020

Hyderabad: League leaders Mumbai City FC displayed their ruthlessness as they scored twice from three shots on target to defeat Hyderabad FC 2-0 at the Tilak Maidan stadium on Sunday.

Vignesh Dakshinamurthy scored a stunner past Hyderabad keeper Subrata Paul from a Bipin Singh assist in the first-half. Adam Le Fondre doubled Mumbai’s lead at the hour mark when he drove the ball home thanks to a Rowllin Borges pass.

Mumbai City dictated proceedings in the early minutes, keeping the possession and moving the ball well up the field. In reaction, Hyderabad forward Aridane Santana attempted to link up with Mohammed Yasir, though it did not lead to a goalscoring chance.

Bipin threatened for Mumbai, setting up a header for Borges, who was offside. Minutes later, Mumbai’s Raynier Fernandes was through on goal, and saw his charge stopped by Joao Victor.

Hyderabad struggled to set up attacks due to lack of the ball. Mumbai capitalized on this, as Ahmed Jahouh delivered an overhead 40-yard pass to Bipin. The Manipuri set up Vignesh, who delivered a curling shot inside the net, leaving keeper Subrata helpless.

Yasir wasted a chance to pull Hyderabad level moments later, when he directed an inch-perfect cross by Akash Mishra, just wide of goal.

The teams were more evenly matched at the start of the second-half, as they played the ball back-and-forth across the field. But Mumbai scored their second goal at the hour mark after Borges wrestled the ball near the box and delivered a short pass to Adam Le Fondre, who briskly deposited the ball inside the net.

Mourtada Fall nearly tripled Mumbai’s lead minutes later, heading a far post cross by Bipin wide of goal.

Substitute Liston Colaco tried to lead Hyderabad’s fightback, but was frequently crowded out by Mumbai’s defence. The Islanders resorted to keeping the ball and passing it around to protect their lead.

Despite multiple attempts by Hyderabad, Mumbai persevered to inflict upon Hyderabad therir fist loss of the season and go 3 points clear at the top of the league table as Hyderabad stand at the 6^th position.