E Bengal outgun Shillong

KOLKATA: Landanmawia Ralte struck a hat-trick as a rampaging East Bengal toyed with Shillong Lajong FC for a 5-0 thrashing, their fourth consecutive win in the I-League, here Thursday. Ralte struck in the 8th, 27th and 61st minutes while Jobby Justin (28th)and Enrique Esqueda (45th) scored one each in the first half, helping East Bengal cut the deficit to three points with leaders Chennai City FC with a match in hand. Their fourth win on the trot took East Bengal past their Sunday's opponents Churchill Brothers to the third place in the table, giving their maiden I-League title pursuit a huge boost in front of about 25,000 turnout.