Captain Diego Forlan led from the front as hosts Mumbai City FC defeated NorthEast United FC 1-0 in a Hero Indian Super league clash at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Friday.
NorthEast United were comfortably perched at the top of the table with two successive victories but were denied a rare hat-trick of wins after marquee player Diego Forlan scored the only goal of the match in the 55th minute from a penalty.
Mumbai City now share the top spot with NorthEast United but have a match in hand.
The teams were cagey at the start and took time to gauge each other's strengths but on the basis of the first 45 minutes it can be safely said that NorthEast enjoyed the upperhand, or at least had the better chances.
Questions were being asked of the Mumbai defence and the goalkeeper made his displeasure known. Mumbai soon found its feet and started carving out chances of their own.
In the second session, Mumbai City won a penalty after midfielder Pronay Halder was brought down by Regan Singh inside the danger zone and the referee had no hesitation awarding a spot kick.
It was Forlan who stepped forward and the Mumbai marquee converted it in style to give his team the lead.
FC Goa vs FC Pune
FC Goa chief coach Zico is confident that his team can script a turnaround as they play their first home match of the season against FC Pune City in the ISl on Saturday.
FC Goa were handed a rare defeat by NorthEast United FC in their opening clash and coach Zico now needs to inspire his squad to register the first win of the season.
Meanwhile, Pune City lost their opening clash against Mumbai City FC in the Maharashtra Derby.