Edmund Lalrindika scored a first-half hat-trick as East Bengal thrashed arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant 4-1 to win the Durand Cup for the first time in 22 years at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday.
The emphatic victory gave East Bengal their 17th Durand Cup title, drawing them level with Mohun Bagan for the most titles in the tournament's history.
Mohun Bagan had beaten East Bengal in the opening match of the tournament, but the final proved to be a one-sided affair for long stretches as the Red-and-Gold Brigade repeatedly punished their rivals' high defensive line with swift counterattacks.
ALSO READ | Premier League Champions Arsenal Sign Ezri Konsa From Aston Villa
Bipin Singh opened the scoring in the 10th minute after receiving a pass from Mohammed Rashid before finishing past Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith.
The Mariners (Mohun Bagan) barely had time to regroup before Edmund doubled East Bengal's advantage two minutes later, sending the home supporters into celebration.
East Bengal coach Antonio Habas, who had previously beaten the Red-and-Gold Brigade as Mohun Bagan's coach, urged his players to remain calm despite the early advantage. His side responded in style.
Dani Ramirez then set up Edmund inside the box, and the forward kept his composure to beat Kaith and score his second goal of the afternoon, as reported by Sportstar.
Mohun Bagan coach Panagiotis Dilmperis gathered his players for a discussion during the first hydration break, and his side found an immediate response after play resumed. Manvir Singh pulled one back to briefly raise hopes of a comeback.
But East Bengal continued to ride the momentum generated by their Indian Super League triumph last season. Edmund completed his hat-trick a minute before half-time after Rashid combined with Jay Gupta, whose cross was tapped into the net by the Indian forward.
After Bhaichung Bhutia in the 1997 Federation Cup semifinal, it was East Bengal's second-ever hat-trick and the first in a Kolkata derby in the Durand Cup.
Mohun Bagan tried to force their way back into the contest after the break, but Habas resorted to one of his most effective tactical ploys - a defensive low block to shut down the Mariners' attacking threat.
ALSO READ | FIFA Bans Argentina's Leandro Paredes For 10 Matches Over World Cup Final Clashes
East Bengal beat SC Delhi in a penalty shootout to make it to the final while Mohun Bagan needed penalties to get past NorthEast United FC in their semifinal. There was no such drama in the final, however, as the Red-and-Gold Brigade took control early and never
The result ended East Bengal's wait for the Durand Cup. They last won the competition in 2004 when they beat Mohun Bagan 2-1. They ended another two-decade wait for silverware with an even more emphatic derby triumph on Sunday.
Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.