- David Williams - 33'
ISL 2020-21: David Williams wonder-strike gives ATK Mohun Bagan comfortable win over Bengaluru
A David Williams stunner, from just outside the box, gave ATK Mohun Bagan a 1-0 win over Bengaluru FC. In the end it was a comfortable affair for the reigning champions, with BFC rarely threatening Arindam Bhattacharya's goal.
BFC had made a number of changes, with Rahul Bheke at left-back to cover for the unfortunately injured Ashique Kuruniyan and the pair of Udanta Singh and Deshorn Brown replacing Suresh Singh Wangjam and Kristian Opseth.
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Habas, meanwhile, had made one change to the team that ground out the win against FC Goa -- and it was an attacking one, Edu Garcia replacing Jayesh Rane.
They were similarly attack-minded on the pitch. ATKMB took the game to BFC from the off, with the front three of Williams, Roy Krishna and Manvir Singh a constant menace, and with Garcia controlling midfield behind them they were much the better side through the game.
In the 11th minute, Subhasish Bose drilled in a low cross for Manvir, who got the better of Bheke. But his first-time shot was easily caught by the Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. His second attempt was set up by Garcia with a sublime through ball, which was also dealt with by the Bengaluru keeper. Sunil Chhetri did test Arindam Bhattacharja but it went straight to the ATKMB custodian.
With BFC playing a high line, Krishna had plenty of space to run in behind, but was caught offside thrice before breaking through in the 16th minute. Juanan, though, shielded him superbly and prevented a shot on goal. At the other end, a poor clearance led to a tame Erik Paartalu header, right into the arms of Arindam.
Then, in the 33rd minute, David Williams stepped up. A long ball from Carl McHugh was stopped dead with a deft touch before he worked space at the edge of the box and curled a wonderful strike past a hapless Gurpreet.
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The second half followed much the same pattern, with Williams skying a presentable chance soon after the restart. Bengaluru had more attacks, coming closest in the 73rd minute. A careless goalkick from Arindam saw Leon Augustine and Suresh combine to release Cleiton Silva in the six-yard box who scraped a shot wide.
As the game went on, ATKMB sank deeper and deeper and eventually saw off a rather dull-looking BFC side comfortably. They are now second on the table, on goal difference, having taken 16 points in 7 matches. They face Chennaiyin next on Dec 29. Bengaluru, meanwhile, remain third with 12 points in seven, two clear of the hot-in-pursuit NorthEast United and Jamshedpur. They face the latter on Dec 28.
Game Information
Indian Super League Standings
Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bengaluru FC | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | +7 | 16 |
Mohun Bagan Super Giant | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | +5 | 13 |
Punjab FC | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | +4 | 12 |
Jamshedpur FC | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | -5 | 12 |
NorthEast United FC | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | +5 | 11 |
Chennaiyin FC | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | +4 | 11 |
FC Goa | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | +2 | 9 |
Mumbai City FC | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 9 |
Odisha FC | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 8 |
Kerala Blasters FC | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -3 | 8 |
Hyderabad | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -4 | 4 |
Mohammedan SC | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -8 | 4 |
SC East Bengal | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -8 | 0 |