East Bengal FC delivered a commanding performance at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium, securing a comprehensive 3-0 victory over NorthEast United FC in the 5th match of the ISL season.
The Red and Gold Brigade dominated proceedings from start to finish, with Youssef Ezzejjari stealing the show with a brilliant brace, and Miguel Figueira adding the cherry on top in stoppage time. The victory showcased East Bengal’s attacking prowess and tactical superiority, leaving the home fans in raptures as their team picked up all three points in style.
Goal Summary
The match remained goalless for much of the contest before East Bengal broke the deadlock in the second half. Once the floodgates opened, there was no stopping Oscar Bruzon’s men as they netted three times in the final 30 minutes to put the game beyond doubt.
| Time | Team | Scorer | Type | Assist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65′ | East Bengal | Youssef Ezzejjari | Header | B. Singh |
| 70′ | East Bengal | Youssef Ezzejjari | Goal | – |
| 90+2′ | East Bengal | Miguel Figueira | Great Finish | V. Puthiya Valappill |
Goal Breakdown
65′ – Youssef Ezzejjari (East Bengal): The Algerian striker opened the scoring with a perfectly timed header, meeting a precise cross from B. Singh to send the home crowd into delirium. It was 1-0 to the Red and Gold Brigade!
70′ – Youssef Ezzejjari (East Bengal): Just five minutes later, Ezzejjari doubled his tally and East Bengal’s lead! The striker showed his clinical finishing ability to make it 2-0, effectively sealing the match and giving his team a commanding advantage.
90+2′ – Miguel Figueira (East Bengal): In the dying moments of the match, midfielder Miguel Figueira Damasceno put the final nail in NorthEast United’s coffin with a superb finish. Assisted by V. Puthiya Valappill, Figueira’s goal completed a dominant 3-0 victory for East Bengal at Kolkata.
Match Statistics
The statistics tell the story of East Bengal’s dominance. The hosts controlled the game from the first whistle, creating numerous chances and maintaining territorial superiority throughout the 90 minutes.
| East Bengal | Statistics | NorthEast United |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Shots | 3 |
| 8 | Shots on Target | 2 |
| 51% | Possession | 49% |
| 0 | Passes | 0 |
| 10 | Fouls | 11 |
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 1 | Offsides | 4 |
| 4 | Corners | 2 |
East Bengal’s attacking intent is evident in the shot count: 18 attempts compared to NorthEast United’s measly 3. With 8 shots on target, the hosts were constantly testing goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh. The possession was fairly even at 51%-49%, but East Bengal made much better use of the ball. The Highlanders struggled to create clear-cut chances, managing just 2 shots on target throughout the entire match.
Key Moments & Timeline
Beyond the goals, the match featured several crucial moments, including tactical substitutions, disciplinary actions, and injury concerns that shaped the game’s flow.
First Half
35′ – Yellow Card: Jithin M. S. (NorthEast United) – The away team’s striker picked up the first booking of the match for a reckless challenge.
Half Time: 0-0 – The teams headed into the break level, with both sides probing for the breakthrough. The deadlock remained unbroken despite East Bengal’s attacking impetus.
Second Half
53′ – Yellow Card: Mohammed Rashid (East Bengal) – The home team’s midfielder was cautioned by referee R. Venkatesh.
62′ – Substitution (East Bengal): Edmund Lalrindika replaced Nandhakumar Sekar as Oscar Bruzon looked to inject fresh energy into the attack.
64′ – Substitution (NorthEast United): Jithin M. S. was unable to continue due to injury and was replaced by Thoi Singh Huidrom. This substitution weakened the Highlanders’ attacking options.
65′ ⚽ GOAL! – Youssef Ezzejjari heads home to give East Bengal the lead! 1-0!
70′ ⚽ GOAL! – Ezzejjari strikes again! The striker doubles East Bengal’s advantage. 2-0!
72′ – Substitution (NorthEast United): Danny Meitei Laishram came on for Macarton Nickson as Juan Pedro Benali tried to stem the tide.
73′ – Substitution (NorthEast United): Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia replaced Parthib Gogoi in the team’s third substitution.
74′ – Substitution (East Bengal): Vishnu Puthiya Valappill entered the fray, replacing Bipin Singh Thounaojam.
86′ – Yellow Card: Edmund Lalrindika (East Bengal) – The substitute was shown a yellow for a tactical foul, having been on the pitch for just 25 minutes.
87′ – Substitution (NorthEast United): Dinesh Singh Soraisham replaced Redeem Tlang as NorthEast United made their fifth and final substitution.
87′ – Substitution (NorthEast United): Lalbiakdika Vanlalvunga came on for Asheer Akhtar.
90′ – Substitution (East Bengal): Raina Martand replaced Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, and Souvik Chakraborty came on for Saúl Crespo as East Bengal made a double substitution.
90′ – Substitution (East Bengal): David L Lalhlansanga replaced goalscorer Youssef Ezzejjari, giving the star striker a well-deserved rest after his match-winning performance.
90+2′ ⚽ GOAL! – Miguel Figueira adds the third! A great finish to complete the rout. 3-0!
90+6′ – Yellow Card: Michel Zabaco (NorthEast United) – The defender received a late booking as frustrations boiled over for the visitors.
90+7′ – FULL TIME: East Bengal 3-0 NorthEast United – A comprehensive victory for the home side!
Complete Substitutions Record
| Time | Team | Player IN | Player OUT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62′ | East Bengal | Edmund Lalrindika | Nandhakumar Sekar |
| 64′ | NorthEast United | Thoi Singh Huidrom | Jithin M. S. |
| 72′ | NorthEast United | Danny Meitei Laishram | Macarton Nickson |
| 73′ | NorthEast United | Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia | Parthib Gogoi |
| 74′ | East Bengal | Vishnu Puthiya Valappill | Bipin Singh Thounaojam |
| 87′ | NorthEast United | Dinesh Singh Soraisham | Redeem Tlang |
| 87′ | NorthEast United | Lalbiakdika Vanlalvunga | Asheer Akhtar |
| 90′ | East Bengal | Raina Martand | Jeakson Singh Thounaojam |
Starting Lineups
Both managers fielded strong lineups for this crucial encounter. East Bengal opted for a 4-3-3 formation, while NorthEast United set up in a 4-2-3-1 shape, looking to stay compact and hit on the counter.
East Bengal FC (4-3-3)
Manager: Óscar Bruzón
Goalkeeper: P. S. Gill (13)
Defenders: Lalchungnunga (5), J. Thaunaojam (25), A. Ali (1), J. Gupta (27)
Midfielders: M. Figueira (8) ⚽, M. Rashid (74) 🟨, S. Crespo (21), N. Sekar (11), Y. Ezzejjari (9) ⚽⚽, B. Singh (28)
Defenders (Bench Formation): Jairo (7), M. Nickson (15), Mayakkannan (13), Andy (18), B. Samte (77), M. Zabaco (4), P. Gogoi (11)
NorthEast United FC (4-2-3-1)
Manager: Juan Pedro Benali
Goalkeeper: G. Singh (1)
Defenders: M. Zabaco (4) 🟨, A. Akhtar (12), R. Tlang (22)
Midfielders: Jairo (7), M. Nickson (15), Andy (18), Jithin M. S. (80) 🟨
Forwards: P. Gogoi (11), Mayakkannan (13), B. Samte (77)
Post-Match Analysis
This was a statement victory for East Bengal FC. Playing at their iconic Salt Lake Stadium fortress, the Red and Gold Brigade showcased why they remain one of Indian football’s most storied clubs. The comprehensive 3-0 win was built on solid defensive organization, creative midfield play, and clinical finishing.
Youssef Ezzejjari’s Man of the Match Performance: The Algerian striker was simply unplayable. His two goals in the space of five minutes turned the game decisively in East Bengal’s favor. His movement, positioning, and finishing were all of the highest quality. The first goal showcased his aerial prowess, while the second demonstrated his composure in front of goal. This brace will surely boost his confidence as the season progresses.
Tactical Masterclass from Oscar Bruzon: The East Bengal coach got his tactics spot on. The 4-3-3 formation allowed his team to dominate possession in midfield while providing width through the wingers. His substitutions were also perfectly timed, with fresh legs helping to maintain the tempo in the final third of the match. The decision to bring on Vishnu Puthiya Valappill proved inspired, as he assisted the third goal.
NorthEast United’s Struggles: The Highlanders will be disappointed with their performance. Managing just 3 shots all game tells its own story. They struggled to create chances and were pinned back for long periods. The injury to Jithin M. S. in the 64th minute disrupted their already limited attacking momentum. Juan Pedro Benali’s side will need to regroup quickly and improve their offensive play if they want to compete at the top of the table.
Key Statistics: The 18-3 shot differential highlights East Bengal’s dominance. With 8 shots on target compared to NorthEast’s 2, the home side constantly threatened. The possession stats (51%-49%) don’t tell the full story – it was the quality of possession that mattered, and East Bengal were far superior in that regard. The corner count (4-2) also favored the hosts, showing their territorial advantage.
Conclusion: East Bengal FC Won by 3 – 0 Against NorthEast United FC
This victory will give East Bengal tremendous confidence as they continue their ISL campaign. Playing at home in front of passionate supporters clearly brings out the best in this team. The combination of Ezzejjari’s goalscoring form and the team’s overall cohesion suggests that the Red and Gold Brigade could be genuine contenders this season.
For NorthEast United, this is a reality check. They’ll need to show much more ambition and quality in attack if they want to pick up points. The Highlanders have the talent in their squad, but they’ll need to create more chances and be more clinical when opportunities arise.
As the ISL season continues to heat up, both teams will be looking to build on this result or bounce back from it. East Bengal fans will be dreaming of silverware, while NorthEast United supporters will be hoping this was just a rare off-day for their team.
