ISL: East Bengal cruise past Odisha FC

Bipin Singh Thounaojam handed East Bengal an early lead before Youssef Ezzejjari struck twice in the second half to wrap up a comfortable win for the Red and Gold Brigade.

With this victory, East Bengal FC move up to fourth in the table with 18 points from nine matches. Odisha FC, meanwhile, remain in 13th place with six points. Bipin Singh was named the Man of the Match for his influential display, contributing a goal and an assist.

Oscar Bruzon made three changes to his starting XI, handing opportunities to Mohamad Rakip, Nandhakumar and Anton Sjberg, while Odisha FC head coach T.G. Purushothaman introduced Anuj Kumar in goal and Ashangbam Aphaoba Singh in attack.

The hosts began on the front foot, with Edmund Lalrindika going close inside three minutes, as East Bengal immediately asserted control.

The breakthrough arrived in the 11th minute following sustained pressure. Lalrindika combined neatly with PV Vishnu on the left, and the latter's clever run and cut-back found Bipin Singh arriving unmarked at the far post, who tapped into an empty net to give East Bengal a deserved lead.

East Bengal continued to dominate possession, repeatedly testing Odisha's deep defensive block. Vishnu remained a constant threat down the flank, while Nandhakumar and Saul Crespo probed from central areas. Odisha, meanwhile, relied on sporadic counter-attacks, with Rahim Ali showing glimpses of intent, but East Bengal keeper Prabhsukhan Gill was rarely troubled in the first half.

Despite a few late efforts from Odisha before the break, including a sharp save from Gill to deny Rahim Ali, East Bengal went into half-time with a slender but comfortable advantage.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with East Bengal controlling proceedings and Odisha struggling to find rhythm in the final third. Rahim Ali came closest for the visitors just after the hour mark, but his effort drifted wide.

East Bengal doubled their lead in the 70th minute through a well-worked move. Vishnu once again delivered a teasing cross into the box, and although diving, Anuj Kumar failed to deal cleanly with it, the loose ball fell kindly for substitute Youssef Ezzejjari, who made no mistake with a simple finish.

The Moroccan forward added his second and East Bengal's third in the 84th minute. Substitute Mawihmingthanga's incisive pass released Bipin Singh down the right, and his composed cut-back found Ezzejjari in space, allowing him to slot home with ease and put the result beyond doubt.

Odisha attempted to respond late on but lacked the cutting edge in the final third, with their best chance coming from their captain Carlos Delgado's header that drifted wide. East Bengal comfortably managed the closing stages to secure all three points. (ANI)