Mohun Bagan Super Giant produced another composed and efficient performance to defeat Chennaiyin FC 2-0 in Match 13 of the Indian Super League 2025–26 season at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Monday.
The Mariners’ second consecutive victory of the campaign lifted them to second place on the league table with six points, level with city rivals East Bengal FC but behind on goal difference. Chennaiyin FC, meanwhile, remain in 11th position following the defeat.
Jamie Maclaren opened the scoring deep into first-half stoppage time, before Dimitrios Petratos doubled the advantage in the 65th minute to secure all three points for the hosts. Petratos’ all-round contribution earned him the Player of the Match award in what was a controlled display from Mohun Bagan across both halves.
Both Sergio Lobera and Clifford Miranda opted to retain the same starting XI from their respective previous fixtures, aiming to build continuity early in a compact league season. Mohun Bagan settled into the contest quickly, enjoying a greater share of possession, while Chennaiyin sought to remain compact and threaten on the counter.
Despite the hosts’ territorial dominance in the early exchanges, it was Chennaiyin who created the first opportunity of the match. Dinliana’s delivery from the flank found Iñigo Martín inside the penalty area, but the Spaniard was unable to make contact as he stretched to meet the cross.
Photo:Abhijit Addya /Focus Sports/ ISL
Mohun Bagan gradually increased their attacking intensity. Deliveries from Liston Colaco and Tekcham Abhishek Singh tested Chennaiyin’s defensive organisation, while Anirudh Thapa came close with a left-footed volley that sailed narrowly over the crossbar. Chennaiyin goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz was also called into action to deny Petratos with a low save as pressure began to mount.
Nawaz’s involvement was cut short soon after following a collision with Mohun Bagan defender Mehtab Singh, which forced the Chennaiyin custodian off with an injury. Samik Mitra replaced him between the posts for the remainder of the match.
The breakthrough arrived in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time. Thapa regained possession from Irfan Yadwad in midfield and immediately threaded a defence-splitting pass into the path of Maclaren. Timing his run well, the Australian striker advanced into the area and finished calmly beyond the onrushing Mitra to give Mohun Bagan a 1-0 lead at the interval.
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The home side carried that momentum into the second half. Maclaren had two early chances to extend the advantage one blocked inside the box and another drifting marginally wide. He also connected with a Subhasish Bose cross but was unable to generate sufficient power to trouble the goalkeeper.
Mohun Bagan doubled their lead just after the hour mark through Petratos. The move began with Colaco switching play with a driven diagonal pass towards the left flank. Subhasish Bose delivered a first-time cross into the penalty area, where Petratos arrived unmarked at the back post and struck a clean first-time volley that beat Mitra despite getting a hand to it.
With a two-goal cushion, Mohun Bagan continued to control possession and dictate the tempo of the match. Petratos and Maclaren both had opportunities to add to their tally, but finishing lapses prevented the scoreline from extending further. Substitute Jason Cummings, introduced in place of Maclaren, also tested the Chennaiyin defence with a couple of attempts on goal.
Chennaiyin struggled to generate sustained attacking momentum throughout the contest and were unable to register a single shot on target. Their best opportunity came late in stoppage time when Gurkirat Singh attempted an effort from the edge of the area, but his left-footed strike drifted wide of the post.
In the end, Mohun Bagan’s clinical finishing and structured defensive performance ensured that the two-goal margin remained intact. The Mariners’ second straight win of the season strengthens their early position in the standings, while Chennaiyin will look to regroup following back-to-back away fixtures.
