United Sports stun Mohun Bagan

United Sports Club stunned high-flying Mohun Bagan 3-2 to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches in the I-League.

Kolkata: United Sports Club on Wednesday stunned high-flying Mohun Bagan 3-2 to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches in the I-League, at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan.

Fresh from their derby win against bitter foes East Bengal, Mohun Bagan drew the first blood but United SC bounced back, riding on a double strike by Ghanaian forward Yusif Yakubu who pumped in two goals in two minutes (54` and 56`). Yakubu, who had set up Shankar Oraon (42`) for their first goal, was adjudged Man-of-the-Match. Mohun Bagan, who scored through Snehasish Chakrabarty (21`) and Odafa Okolie (46`), looked heavily reliant on the Nigerian goal machine who did not look completely fit and was replaced in the second half. United SC have 13 points and are the second team after leaders Dempo to remain unbeaten after seven outings. Mohun Bagan remained on 15 points. Mohun Bagan had a notable performer in goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee who made some fine saves to ensure that the local giants did not lose by an embarrassing margin. United SC began on an attacking note but could not take the lead with Sangram doing a fine job. There were at least two fine chances for United SC in the first 10 minutes but they were unlucky on both occasions as Mohun Bagan took the lead from a counterattack. After replacing N P Pradeep, Gouranga Dutta set one up from the right as Snehashish found the back of the net to give Mohun Bagan the lead. Oraon scored from a rebound that came off the post after a Yakubu shot to make it 1-1 at halftime. Right after the break, Odafa put Mohun Bagan ahead from a Sunil Chhetri pass, but the attack and lack of creativity in the midfield did not help their cause. Suddenly a handball by Kingshuk Debnath from a Joshimar shot inside their box made it worse for Mohun Bagan. Yakubu scored from the spot to help United level 2-2 and, in two minutes` time, he fired another one from a corner to settle the issue. Mohun Bagan would have conceded three more goals but like in their match against East Bengal on Sunday, Sangram stood tall to avoid further slip. After snatching the lead, United accelerated the attack, resulting in a fine chance in the 70th minute, but Sangram thwarted Joshimar`s effort. Yakubu looked for a hat-trick in the 72nd minute but his header went straight to Sangram`s hands. PTI