Cleiton, Kyriacou and Jordan power East Bengal to 3-1 win over NorthEast United

Goals from Cleiton Silva (11’), Charalambos Kyriacou (53’) and Jordan O’Doherty (84’) helped East Bengal FC register a 3-1 win over NorthEast United FC in their third Hero ISL fixture this season at Guwahati’s Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on October 20, Thursday.

EBFC Head Coach Stephen Constantine made four changes to the lineup that lost 2-1 to FC Goa in their previous match.

In the 10th minute, forward Cleiton shot a volley from range at NorthEast United FC’s goal. Although the shot missed the target, he didn’t take long to resgister his name on the scoresheet.

EBFC broke the deadlock a minute later. NEUFC’s Mohamed Irshad got caught on the ball during their attack, which gave Mahesh Noarem Singh an opportunity to snatch the ball and lay it for Cleiton, who scored his second consecutive goal with an ice-cool finish.

The Red & Gold Brigade managed to keep their lead intact heading into the half-time break, thanks to their solid backline.

EBFC began the second-half with more vigour. They doubled their lead eight minutes into the second-half. VP Suhair set up an onrushing Charis Kyriacou for a bending strike from the edge of the box.

Semboi Haokip, in the 52nd minute, backheeled to put East Bengal FC 3-0 up, but the goal was ruled offside.

EBFC applied more pressure as the half wore on. Jordan O’Doherty netted the third goal of the match and his first in EBFC colours.

NEUFC pulled one back in the second minute of the stoppage time, courtesy Matt Derbyshire.

EBFC play their next match against ATK Mohun Bagan FC in the Kolkata derby at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on October 29, Saturday.