Luis Garcia's stunning header sealed a solitary goal home victory for Atletico De Kolkata over NorthEast United FC (NUFC) in an Indian Super League encounter here Tuesday.
The winner came in the 51st minute when Atletico's Spanish linkman Jofre Mateu scampered down the left and essayed a cross into the NUFC box.
The cunning Garcia, later adjudged hero of the match, followed the ball and responded with a snap drop header that went in, foxing rival custodian Rehenesh Tp.
With Tuesday's win at the Salt Lake stadium, the Kolkata franchise consolidated their position at the top with 16 points from nine games. NUFC, in contrast, remained sixth with 10 points in their kitty.
The match was played in a contrasting tempo - a sluggish first half gave way to fast paced and entertaining soccer in the last 45 minutes, with Atletico looking sharper in their build ups and counters, while Josemy and Arnab Mandal formed a strong defensive partnership.
The visitors started off well, and had more ball possession, but lacked finishing.
Striker Fikru Teferra and attacking medio Garcia were at their very best for Atletico from the word go. The Ethiopian created opportunities near the NUFC box, and constantly disturbed the rival rearguards.
Six minutes into the game, Atletico's marqee player Garcia launched on his trademark run and fed Lester Fernandez, who was slow in reaching.
Just after the first quarter, Garcia's audacious lob sailed over.
Six minutes from the break, Jofrey's freekick sailed into the box and a sloppy NUFC defender headed the sphere into the path of Garcia, whose tame volley was blocked by Juan Capdeville. The Spaniard's effort on the rebound was wide off target.
The second half started with the Kolkata franchisee starting positively, and the goal came within six minutes.
Soon after, there was action at the other end, as Baljit Sahni's tackle on NUFC star midfielder Koke earned him a freekick outside the box. But Koke's shot from the setpiece swerved away from the goal.
A little later, Capdevilla's fierce freekick too was wide off target.
Alan Deory and Koke tried hard to crack open the ATK defence, but without success.
There were waves of NUFC attack in the last few minutes, but Atletico's in-form custodian Subhashis Roy Chowdhury rose to the occasion to cut out the goalbound crosses and shots.
NorthEast United FC co-owner and Bollywood actor John Abraham was present during the match.
