Kolkata: Mohun Bagan found their winning mantra back as they humbled city rivals Mohammedan Sporting 3-0 in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season’s first Kolkata derby here at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.
Three first half goals from Jamie Maclaren, Subhasish Bose and Greg Stewart saw the reigning ISL League Shield winners amass their second win of the season before heading into the international break.
Here are the key talking points from the Mohun Bagan vs Mohammedan Sporting clash:
#5 Jamie Maclaren’s goal on debut
There was a murmur about Jamie Maclaren since the Australian striker joined the club in July this year. On Saturday, Mohun Bagan coach Jose Molina handed Mclaren his first outing in the ISL, and there was a flash of brilliance from Maclaren against Mohammedan Sporting.
Maclaren scored from a corner kick taken by Liston Colaco after Mohammedan Sporting midfielder F Lalremsanga made a glaring mistake by failing to clear a bening ball, leading to the corner kick. Liston’s well-placed cross found the head of Greg Stewart first, and MacLaren, standing unmarked at the far post, calmly headed the deflected ball into the net to give Mohun Bagan a 1-0 lead.
Throughout the match, he showed similar intent and hunger the score. After the match, elated fans expressed confidence Maclaren.
#4 Captain Subhashish Bose’s masterclass
Mohun Bagan extended their lead to 2-0 in the 31st minute, with captain Subhashish Bose delivering a stellar performance. Bose, operating with remarkable energy, scored with a header after connecting with a cross from Greg Stewart. Mohammedan Sporting goalkeeper Padam Chhetri could not prevent the goal as the ball slipped between his legs and rolled into the net.
Bose’s passing accuracy was equally impressive. Stewart’s goal, third of the match, came from a precise pass by Bose. He also created another sharp opportunity in the dying minutes for Maclaren, who rushed forward but could not quite make contact with the ball.
#3 Greg Stewart’s enchanting outing
While the Scottish player scored a goal and completed a 3-0 routing of Mohammedan Sporting, what was more fascinating about his was his ability to take control of the midfield.
Overall, he created four chances and completed 11 of his 14 passes. But it was his long rangers from the middle of the pitch that captivated the fans all along. Although he could not find the back of the net with his bold attempts, there was strong belief among the fans that Stewart would be successful in scoring a long ranger at some point this season.
#2 Padam Chettri’s poor outing and Mohammedan Sporting’s struggle
Padam Chettri was the peak of Mohammedan Sporting numerous problems. Goalkeeper Padam found himself at the forefront of the Mohun Bagan onslaught early on in the game. He had a forgetful outing, with him leaking three goals. He was lucky not to concede many more with Stewart and Liston Colaco missed a few chances to score.
But Padam alone cannot be blamed for this debacle after Mohammedan Sporting’s rousing win over Chennaiyin FC in their previous ISL game.
With Mohun Bagan pressing hard from the very onset of the match, cutting down Mohammedan Sporting’s supply line, the Black Panthers panicked and could not found a way out to address the challenge in the entire match.
With Liston, Asish Rai, Subhasish and Manveer Singh delivering stellar performances around the flanks, Mohammedan Sporting defence was bound to commit errors. Grabbing the chances, Mohun Bagan emerged victorious.
What was glaring in their defeat was Mohammedan Sporting’s apparent struggle to build on attack and go for the goal. It is something that will make coach Andrey Chernyshov worried.
#1 A moral boosting win for Mohun Bagan coach Molina
Mohun Bagan coach Jose Molina will be relieved more than anyone else after this convincing win at home.
He was under fire after his team went down to Bengaluru FC 0-3 in their last away clash. There were murmur about his style of playing. But on Saturday, his deployment of 4-4-1 formation bore fruits for Mohun Bagan.
With the team operating in tandem, in an apparent show of his players’ sound understanding of he wants from them, Molina looked calm throughout the match.
In his 4-4-1 formation, a free wheeling Stewart was the biggest takeaway from the match. Equally impressive were Maclaren, Bose, Manveer and Ashique. They way the Green and Maroon exerted their dominance over Mohammedan Sporting and bottled them up in their own half, it was a testament to their new found resilience and strength. Molina may not like to tinker much with this winning set-up in the coming matches.
This convincing win also helped Molina’s Mohun Bagan to surge to the fourth place on the points table with seven points.