Sunil Chhetri Rolls Back The Years, Scores Brace To Send Bengaluru FC Top Of ISL

Bengaluru FC left it late to edge past Mohammedan SC 2-1 at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on Wednesday. The Blues now have registered a win against all three Kolkata clubs this season. It was Cesar Manzoki who handed the hosts an early lead, but Sunil Chhetri came on as a substitute and scored two goals to see the visitors return home with a famous win. He became the first player to score against all 15 ISL teams and now also leads the league in scoring the most spot-kicks (20) in the competition's history, as per a press release from ISL.

Mohammedan SC had spring in their steps from the start of the match as they pressed Bengaluru FC as a whole unit. They were even winning the second ball, and Manzoki, pairing up with Mirjalol Kasimov and Carlos Franca, caused many problems for the Blues, who started the game with an all-Indian backline.

The positive start bore fruit for the home team as they opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Manzoki rose highest to head the ball home from Kasimov's beautiful corner. It was a goal straight out of the training ground as the marksman repaid Andrey Chernyshov's faith in him by netting his first goal of the season.

In the first 20 minutes, Bengaluru FC failed to make penetrative runs with nothing to show for their lion's share of possession. However, the Blues finished the first half strongly, with Ryan Williams causing some problems for the Mohammedan SC defence. However, the Florent Ogier-led backline of Mohammedan SC held their fort brilliantly to enter the break with a slender lead.

The second half started with a golden opportunity for the hosts to double their lead. Manzoki controlled a long ball with aplomb, setting up