I-League: East Bengal pummel Minerva 5-0 to go top

I-League (@ILeagueOfficial)

Ludhiana: Kolkata giants East Bengal rode on a superb performance by their attackers to pummel Minerva FC Punjab 5-0 and grab the pole position in the I-League here on Sunday.

The Red & Golds completely outplayed debutants Minerva Punjab FC.

Trevor Morgan's striking trio Robin Singh (65 minute), Willis Plaza (40') and Wedson Anselme (9', 64', 66') all found their names on the scoresheet with Anselme bagging a hat-trick to win the Hero of the Match award.

Morgan made just the one change from the team that defeated Bengaluru FC. Robin Singh started up front alongside Willis Plaza in place of Amirov.

Surinder Singh decided to start with Ivan Filatov and Manandeep Singh up front while Anirudh Thapa and Victor Amobi were deployed on the wings.

Wedson headed it home in the ninth minute to put the away team in the driver's seat and there was no looking back.

The Kolkatan outfit then doubled the lead in the 40th minute when Robin Singh played an overlapping Bheke clear on the right wing. Bheke's cross into the box was finished off by a waiting Willis Plaza with the Minervan defence looking bemused.

The first half ended with the scoreline reading 0-2 in favour of the visitors.

There was no fightback from Surinder Singh's side in the second half as East Bengal went on a rampage.

East Bengal were awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute when Arashpreet handled a goal-bound shot from Wedson Anselme. The Haitian went on to score from the spot to pull East Bengal ahead by 3 goals, leaving the hme crowd bewildered.

The team from Kolkata then turned on the charm with two more quick-fire goals.