Fatorda (Goa), January 8: The race for the top spot in the Indian Super League (ISL) heated up as FC Goa defeated NorthEast United FC 2-0 to celebrate their 100th ISL match in style. The hosts were dominant in possession and created plenty of chances to score against a deep-lying defence but lacked the killer instinct in front of goal. A Mislav Komorski (68') own-goal finally allowed Goa to take the lead before Jose Leudo conceded a penalty to allow Ferran Corominas (82') to score what was his 49th ISL goal. Goa's seventh win of the season has pushed them to the top of the table with 24 points from 12 matches. FC Goa's Ferran Corominas Named ISL 'Hero of the Month' for December.

NorthEast are eighth with 11 points from 10 matches. In what turned out to be an entertaining contest in the first half, Goa had the first big chance in the ninth minute when Lenny Rodrigues found Jackichand Singh in the box. The Indian winger dribbled to the byline and provide a cut-back for Ferran Corominas whose first-time hit flew off target. It were the hosts who posed the right questions as the game neared half-time, but the opening goal remained elusive. Goa started the second-half just as they ended the first and took control of the midfield right at the start. Two minutes after the restart, Seriton Fernandes' pass into the box from the right flank found its way into the feet of an unmarked Jackichand who shot straight at the keeper from close-range.

NorthEast custodian Pawan Kumar pushed the ball into the path of Brandon who was waiting at the opposite end but the midfielder also failed to find the net from inside the box, with Reagan Singh sliding in to block the effort from the rebound. The hosts finally took the lead when Komorski put the ball into his own net. A lapse in concentration in the 68th minute by the Highlanders defence saw Jackichand's cross into the box hit the defender's legs and deflect past the keeper and into the net.

Things turned from bad to worse for the visitors with 10 minutes left in the game. Leudo brought down Corominas who was fed through on goal with just the keeper to beat and the defensive midfielder was sent off for a last-man challenge. The Spanish striker converted from 12 yards to score his eighth goal of the season and secure the win for Goa.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 08, 2020 11:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).