FATORDA: Mumbai City FC defense champion could not take run without their victory because they were held to a 1-1 draw by Northeast United FC in the Indian League League (ISL) Hero match on Tuesday.
Ahmed Jahouh helped the ruling championship from the point in the 30th minute but the northeastern America without stopping continued to accumulate at pressure and finally got a prize through a replacement for Mohamed Irshad who was hit in the 79th minute to make sure both parties shared booty.
The result means Mumbai still does not drink in their last six matches, moved back to the top four but only 18 points from 12 matches, raising points with Chennaiyin FC who took Bengaluru FC on Wednesday.
Northeast United remained in 10th place at the table, having 10 points from 14 matches.
For Mumbai, everything was getting worse because Amey Ranawade was shown a red card at the time of cessation after he took his second yellow card.
Northeast United left for a positive start but Mumbai immediately got their grip on the tie, Jahouh whipping a delicious ball for the Vikram Pratap Singh that flick-on was from the target.
Momentum was immediately reflected in a goal though from the spot-spot after Vikram stumbled in a box by Mashoor Shereef.
Northeast protested hard against the decision when the referee pointed to the place and Jahouf hit a high ball and to the left corner of the goal left Roy Chowdhury without any chance to get it.
Stung by goals, the Highlanders riding Ante but Mumbai who saw Likeli to both sides to double their lead.
In the second period, Northeast United had the initial chance to equalize but Guruke Kumar headed wide.
The best opportunity for Northeast United fell to Suhair Vadakkepeedika who chips caught Mohamad Nawaz from the line but a cannon ball from the post.
Hernan Santana then tried his luck from reach with a pleasant free kick but the guard managed to keep his business in the bay.
Northeast United kept knocking on the door and finally got their prize from a source that was impossible.
A few minutes after coming to Sehnaj Singh, Irshad defender found the back of the net with a finish striker after the ball fell into him from the northeast corner and he applied the neat end result towards the far corner.
Cassio Gabriel got a golden opportunity to help Mumbai return to the leader after Amey Ranawade swung on a sharp cross for him in the box but Brazil forced a sharp rescue from Roy Chowdhury.