ISL 2017/18, Match 70: Mumbai City FC vs FC Pune City, 5 Talking Points

FC Pune City completed the seasonal double over neighbours Mumbai City FC with a 2-0 win away from home at the Mumbai Football Arena. They had won the first encounter as well in Pune and they scored one goal in each half today to pick up the win, further strengthening their playoff hopes while pushing their rivals to the brink.

Marcelinho was on the score-sheet once again, scoring the all-important second goal to put the result beyond doubt for the Stallions.

Here's what stood out from the latest instalment of the Maharashtra derby:

#1 Marcelinho could have put this contest to bed in the first half

Pune City coach Ranko Popovic chose to leave out Emiliano Alfaro out of the starting XI for today's game which meant Marcelinho playing through the middle as the main striker. It was a role that had got him plenty of goals at Delhi Dynamos last season and it was going to be intriguing viewing.

Sure enough, the chances began to come Marcelinho's way as the first half wore on, but sadly for Pune, he couldn't convert any of them.

He had three good chances, one of them an extremely good one, to score for his side. Twice he was released with a lovely through ball to the right side of Mumbai's box, but Marcelinho delayed his shot as he was keen to get it onto his stronger left foot which saw the chances fall by the wayside.

He had an excellent chance that he really should have taken in the 16th minute when Adil Khan found him again with a beautiful ball over the top of the defence. With just the keeper to beat and on his favourite left foot this time, Marcelinho only managed to chip it cleanly over the bar.

He did though score the goal that settled the contest in his side's favour. After absorbing a lot of pressure from Mumbai City, Marcelinho put away the chance that came his way in the 83rd minute with an expertly taken finish.