CALCUTTA (India): Mohun Bagan on Sunday celebrated their merger with ISL side ATK with a 2-1 win over rivals East Bengal in 13th I-League here.
Joseba Beitia (18th) and Baba Diawara (65th) struck on either side of the break as Bagan put up a solid display to grab three points and consolidate their position.
The Mariners now have 17 points from eight matches, six clear of second-placed Punjab FC.
East Bengal reduced the margin through Marcos Jimenez (72nd). They were unlucky when Juan Mera’s 30-yard shot bounced off the crosspiece as they suffered a third defeat in a row to be on eight points from seven matches.
With Mohun Bagan announcing their merger with two-time ISL champions ATK, this was the penultimate derby in the I-League era.
The green and maroon side won their first derby since their 2-0 win on January 21, 2018 in I-League. But they had failed to win from four matches, including two in I-League.
There was a huge turnout with 63,756 fans attending the season’s first derby.
Crowds poured in hours before the start, holding placards and chanting the team slogans, making it a festive atmosphere at the iconic venue which will host the final I-league derby on March 15.
