Sunil Chhetri’s hat-trick helped Mumbai City FC thrash NorthEast United FC by 5-1 at D.Y.Patil Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday. Chhetri opened the score-line after successfully netting the ball from penalty in the 25 minute. Within four minutes from the first goal, Boithang Haokip scored the equaliser for the visitors from a free-kick. 

Chhetri scored his second goal in the 40th minute and made it three in the match from another penalty just at beginning of the second half (48’). Both penalties were awarded to the home team from hand ball of Carlos Lopez and Andre Bikey, respectively. Sony Norde scored the hosts’ fourth goal of the match from a perfect through ball by Juan Aguilera. Haitian Frantz Bertin extended the lead to 5-1 for Mumbai City FC through a header from Norde’s corner at 86 minutes. The poor and weak defence cost the visitors dearly in this match. Meanwhile, Chhetri became the first Indian to score a hat-trick in ISL.

Here are the hits and flops from the match.

HITS

Sunil Chhetri (Mumbai City FC):- The Indian football captain was class apart during this game. He became the first Indian to score a hat-trick in the ISL. He achieved hat-trick through two successful penalties (25’ and 48’) and a field goal in the 45 minute. Chhetri could have added more goals to his tally in this match, but unfortunately missed a few chances. His continuously increasing form is giving boost for Mumbai City.

BoithangHaokip (NorthEast United):-The performance of the NorthEast United wasn’t upto the mark. None of the players was able to impress the fans in this match. Haokip’s goal was the only positive for the away team. Though it was a big fault on the part of Mumbai City’s defence, nevertheless Haokip’s free-kick was on the spot. Though, he also need to improve his performance.

FLOPS

Lalchhuan Mawia (Mumbai City FC):-The left-back totally disappointed in this match. He seemed to have lost his focus in the match and allowed some crosses into the box. He needs to improve if Mumbai want to continue its winning streak. 

Carlos Javier Lopez (NorthEast United):-All the NorthEast United players were hopeless in the match against Mumbai. Surely, they would want to forget this game as quickly as possible. Lopez’s performance was the worst for the away team as he made a handball in the 25 minute and the referee decided to give penalty to the Mumbai City FC. Chhetri made no mistake to give Mumbai a lead and also the momentum to score more in the coming minutes.