Mumbai City pockets crucial victory

Paulo Machado’s (15’) free-kick opening goal was cancelled out by Tiri’s (37’) header from a corner-kick. Raynier (56’) then came off the bench to produce the match-winning goal.

Jamshedpur and Mumbai City are now level on the table with 13 points from nine games, with the former occupying the fourth spot owing to a superior goal difference.

The first major chance of the game fell to the away side as early as the third minute. Bipin Singh attempted an audacious volley off a Modou Sougou cross from the right flank. The strike took a deflection on its way towards goal and forced a good save from Subrata Paul. MCFC was persistent and converted the next opportunity it got.

Machado delivered a stunning free-kick from the left flank which beat Subrata at his near-post. Jamshedpur sought a way back and grew in confidence as the half wore on. CK Vineeth nicked the ball off Machado from midfield, dribbled towards the edge of the box and had his shot blocked.

The rebound fell to Piti whose ferocious strike flew inches wide of Amrinder Singh’s goal.

Minutes later, a terrific through ball by Tiri split the Mumbai City defence and fed Farukh Choudhary into the box, but the India international shot wide with just the keeper at his mercy.

The host, however, equalised from a corner-kick in the 37th minute. Tiri outfoxed his marker and leapt the highest inside the box to beat Amrinder with a close-range header.

After what was an even start to the second period, half-time substitute Raynier regained MCFC’s lead in the 56th minute. Machado won the ball in midfield and passed it forward to Sougou, who held off his marker with his back to the goal.

The Senegalese striker laid the ball off for Raynier, who unleashed a magnificent first-time effort from outside the box. After going behind, JFC switched gears again and Amrinder was soon called into action at the other end.

Farukh chested a chip from Isaac Vanmalsawma onto the path of Vineeth, whose snapshot was kept out brilliantly by the Mumbai custodian. Jamshedpur continued to pressurise the visitor and fashioned a few half-chances, but a gallant Mumbai City defence held on to seal an important ISL victory.