East Bengal went to the top of the League on Sunday after their Round 5 Hero I-league 5-0 victory over Minerva Punjab, at the Guru Nanak stadium in Ludhiana.
Haitian striker Wedson Anselme notched up a hat-trick as the Red and Golds dominated the debutantes first home game in front of a crowd of 2,596.
The first of Anselme’s goals came in the 8th minute after a foul by captain Arashpreet on Robin Singh earned Bengal a free kick in the danger zone, Lalrindika Ralte chipped it beautifully before Anselme found the back of the net past GK Arnab.
The lead was doubled in the 40th minute when Robin Singh played an overlapping Rahul Bheke clear on the right wing. Bheke’s cross into the box was finished off by a waiting Willis Plaza. Minervan pressed hard after and had their fair share of opportunities but could not score.
Just after the hour mark Bengal were awarded a penalty after Arashpreet handled the ball inside the box. Anselme made no mistake from the spot to score the second of his hat-trick.
The following Bengal goals came thick and fast and just 1 minute later, Singh took a turn to get on the score sheet, before Anselme completed his hat-trick in the 66th minute, A pass from Plaza opened up Minerva defense as Wedson tucked it neatly past the goalkeeper to make it 5-0 in East Bengal’s favour.
Even though the hosts were five goals down, Minerva had chances to capitalise and grab a consolation goal, but unfortunately failed.
The win for the Red and Golds has seen them collect a clean sheet and three points, to put them at the top of the league with 13 points from five matches, whilst Minerva remain at the bottom after receiving their fourth defeat of the season.
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