Riding on a stupendous performance, defending champions Atletico de Kolkata climbed to the top of points table as they hammered FC Goa 4-0 in the Indian Super League (ISL) football match at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Sunday.
Sameehg Doutie scored a brace of goals in the 20th and 78th minute while skipper Borja Fernaindez and Iain Hume scored in the 22nd and 68th minute to help the home side gather full three points and snatch the top spot from the visitors in style.
With the win, Atletico have gathered 20 points from 12 games, having won six, drawn two and lost four. The visitors dropped one place to the second spot with 18 points from 11 games, having won five, drawn three and lost three.
For the important tie, Goa made two changes -- Narayan Das and Nicolau Colaco came in for Romeo Fernandes and Mandar Rao Dessai.
While Arata Izumi and Valmiro Lopes Rocha made way for Mohammed Rafique and Ofentse Nato in the Kolkata side.
Goa kick-started the proceedings but it was the home side who took the initiative to go on a positive play right from the start.
The side got a couple of chances to go ahead right at the start but it was the Goa defence that held on.
But the home crowd didn't have to wait long to cheer for their team as Doutie scored the opener in the 20th minute. From a throw-in, Jaime Gaivilan guided it to Doutie and the South African cashed in on the golden chance to shoot straight into the far corner.
Just two minutes later, more trouble mounted for legendary Zico-coached Goa, as skipper Borja used his experience to good effect to beat goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani at the near post to make it 2-0 for the home side.
Two goals in quick succession came as a shocker for the visitors as they eventually failed to string passes together or put pressure on the Atletico defence like they did in the previous matches against their opponents.
Coming into the second half, Goa showed a bit of positive game looking to find the gap from either side but a strong Kolkata defence restricted them.
In the 67th minute, Doutie made the most of his pace yet again and made his way inside the Goa box. But, the South African was brought down by Nicolau Colaco and the referee awarded a penalty.
Canadian Hume took the spot kick and made no mistake to help his team go up 3-0.
In total control of the game, Kolkata inched towards victory. But there was more drama left in the game.
In the 78th minute, the hosts piled on Goa's misery and added a fourth goal.
Table-toppers Kolkata next host FC Pune City on November 27 while Goa face NorthEast United FC at home on November 25.
