FC Goa beat Kerala Blasters 3-1

KOCHI: FC Goa opened a three point lead at the top of the Indian Super League table after they beat Kerala Blasters 3-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, here on Sunday.

A Ferran Corominas double and a strike by Manvir Singh were enough for FC Goa to pick yet another three points as they are now the first team this season to score over 20 goals.

Kerala Blasters pulled one back late in the game through Nikola Krcmarevic.

The home side head coach David James named an all-indian defence for the very first time with Anas Edathodika making his first start of the season.

Meanwhile, Sergio Lobera opted to rest Hugo Boumous with Brandon Fernandes earning a spot in his line-up after a goal in the previous game.

It took 11 minutes for the visitors to take the lead. Coro scored his seventh goal as he got on the end of a Ahmed Jahouh cross to head home as the Kerala defence was caught napping.

Jahouh, Edu Bedia and Lenny Rodrigues controlled the proceedings as Kerala struggled to create a chance of note.

Coro scored his second of the evening just before half time as he delicately placed the ball beyond the reach of the goalkeeper after an excellent run.

FC Goa made it 3-0 in the 66th minute through substitute Manvir Singh who sent in a powerful header from a corner.

Against the run of play, Nikola Krcmarevic got on the end of a cross by Sandesh Jhingan in added time as he pulled one back for his side.

Kerala’s poor run of form continued as they have now gone six matches without tasting victory and suffered their second defeat on the trot.

GOKULAM OVERPOWER LAJONG 3-1

KOZHIKODE: In the other match of the day, Gokulam Kerala proved to be a much stronger unit for the young Shillong Lajong as they muscled their way to a 3-1 win at the EMS Corporation Stadium, here on Sunday.

Gani Nigam, Antonio German and Rajesh S scored for Gokulam while Buam was the lone scorer for Shillong Lajong FC.