(Football news) Reigning champions Mumbai City FC continued their winless run after sharing the spoils with NorthEast United in a 3-3 draw at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda. The six goal thriller saw Deshorn Brown find the back of the net in the 29th, 56th and 80th minute while Mumbai City FC scored thanks to Igor Angulo (33rd, 52nd) and Bipin Singh (40th). With this result, Mumbai City FC remain at the top of the Indian Super League table with 16 points from 8 games while NorthEast United are ninth with 8 points.

Mumbai City FC were unlucky not to go ahead in the 2nd minute when a delivery by Ahmed Jahouh reached Ygor Catatau whose header was saved by NorthEast United goalkeeper Mirshad Michu. The league leaders comfortably dominated NorthEast United with Cassio Gabriel and Jahouh dominating the midfield and goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz did not have a save to make until the first quarter of the half when he tipped Mathias Coureur’s header over the bar. 

NorthEast United were the first to find themselves on the scoresheet against the run of play as Deshorn Brown capitalized on a diagonal ball from Imran Khan by controlling it on his chest and slotting it past Nawaz in the 29th minute. The goal led to an immediate reaction by Mumbai City FC who levelled the score just four minutes later as Bipin stormed into the left flank and provided the assist to Angulo who converted from close range. Five minutes from half-time, the roles were reversed as Angulo provided the assist to an overlapping Bipin whose low finish from a tight angle gave Mumbai City FC the lead.

With NorthEast United trailing by a goal, Khalid Jamil’s team upped the ante from the get go and Hernan Santana forced Mohammad Nawaz to make a great save just three minutes into the second half. However, it was Mumbai City FC who managed to get on the scoresheet as Igor Angulo got his second goal in the 52nd minute after Ygor Catatau unlocked NorthEast United’s defense and provided the assist for the Spaniard to convert from close range. 

The two goal cushion was short lived for Des Buckingham’s side as Deshorn Brown scored his second goal of the match just four minutes later after he went away from his marker and smashed the ball past Nawaz and into the back of the net. With just 10 minutes remaining on the clock, Deshorn Brown completed his hat-trick after guiding Imran’s shot into an empty net as Rahul Bheke failed to clear the ball and Nawaz was off his line sooner than he should have been. With the score at 3-3, both sides looked for a late winner but to no avail despite Mathias Coureur, Ingulo and Bheke coming close.

Mumbai City FC will next face Odisha FC on 3rd January 2022 at the Tilak Maidan while NorthEast United FC will face a tough test against Jamshedpur FC on 6th January 2022 at the GMC Athletic Stadium.

Also read: Hyderabad, Odisha aim for better show after winless streaks