Mohun Bagan virtually won the Sahara Kolkata Premier League after defeating traditional rivals East Bengal 2-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Bagan had won the first leg 4-3.
They went into the lead in the 50th minute against the run of the play after Dharamjit Singh's lob from the centre line put Jose Barreto in possession. The Brazilian marksman accelerated between East Bengal defenders M Suresh and M Bolaji and flicked the ball to the right of the net past a diving Subrata Paul (1-0).
The second goal was scored in injury time, in the 92nd minute, when Paul brought down Baichung Bhutia in the penalty area. Barreto placed the ball to the right of the net of the resultant spot kick.
Paul was responsible for East Bengal's defeat. He was out of position when Barreto scored the first goal and then his foul on Bhutia Baichung resulted in the penalty.
With the victory the green-and-maroon brigade stay atop the league table unbeaten on 30 points while East Bengal have 25 points after eight victories and the third defeat today.
More from rediff