Mumbai City FC rode a hattrick by Vikram Partap Singh to overpower a somewhat disjointed NorthEast United FC 4-1 at the Mumbai Football Arena (MFA) on Tuesday evening and go to the top of the Indian Super League (ISL) points table.
Mumbai City FC are now on 39 points from 19 matches. They have a three-point lead over former ISL champions Mohun Bagan have played two games less. Both teams have an identical goal difference of 34.
Tuesday night’s game was a memorable one for Vikram Partap Singh. The youngster became the sixth Indian to score a hat-trick in ISL history, following Kiyan Nassiri Giri’s feat against East Bengal FC in January 2022. He was also the second-youngest Indian to score three goals in a single ISL game.
The Islanders, who won their fourth game in their last six outings to continue their impressive run at holding onto the ISL League Winners Shield, put on an extremely dominant display. Vikram struck in the third and tenth minutes, as well as for the third time in the 80th, to guarantee that the home team continually drove the Highlanders back throughout the entire 90-minute game. They maintained a tight hold on the game.
Thanks to Dutch player Yoell van Nieff, the 22-year-old initially put the ball past NorthEast United FC goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh. Van Nieff surprised the Highlanders with a spinning throw inside the box that lobbed past their defense, was met by an alert Vikram in front of the goal, and slammed home. The team was eager to establish their play from the start.
Vikram regularly detected possibilities and executed deliveries with flawless precision, outwitting the NEUFC defense in the box tonight. There was a similarly hardworking frontline to support him. Bipin Singh tried hard with his left foot to tempt the NorthEast United FC defense, but the shot just rattled and rebounded off the crossbar.
However, the ball was unable to get beyond Vikram, who seized the opportunity to increase their lead with a simple tap-in. In the additional time of the first half, Redeem Tlang fouled Akash Mishra within the 18-yard box, denying him the opportunity to complete the hat-trick.
For just the fourth time in the previous ten ISL seasons, Mumbai City FC led 3-0 going into the half. Van Nieff took responsibility right away and clobbered the ball into Gurmeet’s left side with ease.
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But in the 80th minute, Vikram completed his hat-trick with a strike that truly showcased his attacking instincts. Lallianzuala Chhangte’s brilliant run into the NorthEast United FC area set up an assist that was finished by a jubilant Vikram.
Just a minute prior, Jithin M.S. scored a wonderful goal off an assist from Gani Nigam, giving the visitors some pride back. But Mumbai City FC answered right away with a counter that gave Vikram his hat-trick. With 20 points from 19 games, NorthEast United FC is currently ranked ninth in the standings, and their prospects of making the playoffs have significantly decreased. Worse, in added time in the second half, youngster Parthib Gogoi was sent off with a red card.
Mumbai City FC will ply their next game against Hyderabad FC on April 1. NorthEast United FC will hope to bounce back from Tuesday’s defeat when they face Kerala Blasters FC on April 6.
