I-League: East Bengal beat Shivajians 2-1; subs score for defending champs Bengaluru in 2-0 win over Chennai City

Courtesy: Twitter (@ILeagueOfficial)

Pune/Bengaluru: Haitian striker Wedson Anselme and Trinidad Tobago's Willis Plaza struck on either side of the break as Kolkata giants East Bengal logged home three crucial away points beating DSK Shivajians 2-1 even as late goals helped defending champions Bengaluru FC beat Chennai City in the 2016-17 I-League on Saturday.

Trevor James Morgan's side now have four points from two games. For the Shivajians, veteran stopper Gourmangi Singh had equalised in the 64th minute after Wedson had converted a penalty in the 13th minute.

Plaza scored the winner, 10 minutes from final whistle.

The Shivajians started with aged players like Nirmal Chettri and Gouramangi while India internationals like Seityasen Singh and Sumeet Passi warmed the benches.

In the 13th minute, Wedson was felled in the box by rival custodian Soram Poirei replacing the experienced Subrata Paul

The referee promptly pointed towards the dreaded spot. The Haitian himself made no mistake in converting the spot kick much to Morgan's delight.

Wedson could have made it 2-0 but his powerful pile driver was saved by Poirei and he again did well to save an angular low shot.

The second half saw Shivajians introducing Milan Singh and Jerry Lalrinzuala for an off-colour Pradhan and Narzary.

While East Bengal were dominating, the equaliser came against the run of play. Spaniard Juan Quero Barreso's indirect free-kick landed perfectly for Korean Kim Song Young's headed effort, which was parried away by Rehenesh, but Gourmangi slotted home from the rebound.

Trevor Morgan used his last available substitution when Jackichand Singh replaced Wedson.

A change in shape for the away team resulted in a well-crafted goal on the break through Willis Plaza. The Trinidad and Tobago international had a couple of good chances in the first-half but failed to capitalise. This time, Plaza made no error, putting his side 2-1 up in the 80th minute.

In Bengaluru, late goals from substitutes Roby Norales and CK Vineeth helped Bengaluru FC defeat Chennai City FC 2-0.

BFC started again with an all-Indian attack leaving Cameron Watson on the bench and having introduced Mandar Rao Dessai in the starting line-up.

Chennai City FC almost had the same first eleven from their last match sans the Afghani international Haroon Amiri and throwing the Brazilian forward duo Charles and Marcus in the starting eleven.

The hosts looked in superior touch from the go in their usual flair - concentrating on possession, trying to build up the game from back. Bengaluru FC were sailing through Chennai City FC defense and came close to scoring.

The first shot for the visitors came only in the 23rd minute of the match. Till then the visitors looked no match for the hosts, a team yet to settle down.

Chennai City FC defence kept doing double duty, focused more on clearing the ball rather building any attack. The strikers managed to squeeze past Bengaluru FC defence in few occasions but were ineffective in front of the goal.

Much to the wonder of supporters, Bengaluru failed to score in the first half.

At the beginning of the second-half, Chennai City FC substituted Marcus for local Bangalore boy Michael Regin.

Bengaluru FC were looking for an opening, brought in debutant Roby Norales for another debutant Mandar Rao Dessai and CK Vineeth for Daniel.

The much awaited goal finally came in the 77th minute. The Honduran striker, Roby Norales, took advantage of a deflected ball and smashed it into the back of the net.

Bengaluru FC doubled the lead in three minutes from a dexterous cross by Udanta from the right flank, which Vineeth charging inside penalty box banged home.

Bengaluru FC play their next game at home in four days? time against arch-rivals Mumbai FC.