Odisha FC vs Mumbai City FC: Islanders return to the summit of ISL 2022-23 standings with another blistering attacking display

Extending their unbeaten run to 12 matches, Mumbai City FC registered a blistering second-half performance against Odisha FC to win 4-2 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Monday, January 2.

Lallianzuala Chhangte emerged as the hero of the night for the visitors, with his brace and an immaculate assist. Bipin Singh and Alberto Noguera also got on the scoresheet for Mumbai. Diego Mauricio's two goals weren't enough to tarnish MCFC's immaculate record.

FT: OFC 2⃣4⃣ MCFC

A brilliant start to 2023 from #TheIslanders puts us level with Jamshedpur's record of most consecutive wins and gets us back to the top spot of the #HeroISL points table!

#OFCMCFC #MumbaiCity #AamchiCity🔵 https://t.co/tTSNQPkVk4

Coming into the game on a six-match winning streak, the Islanders were expected to be the absolute favorites. However, the first half played out slightly differently. Mumbai started on the front foot, creating a couple of half-chances through Chhangte and Jorge Pereyra Diaz in the opening exchanges.

However, the first clear chance of the game presented itself in Odisha FC's direction when Nandhakumar Sekar found himself at the end of an inch-perfect cross inside the opposition box. But the in-form winger saw his snap-shot brilliantly saved by Phurba Lachenpa.

The visitors looked concerningly wasteful in the attacking third in the first. They got into dangerous positions but failed to make the most out of those opportunities. The most audacious miss from Mumbai came with just a minute left in the first half when Greg Stewart scuffed his effort even with an empty goal gaping at him.

Mumbai City FC turn up the heat in the second half to steamroll Odisha FC

But coming out after the break, seemingly Des Buckingham had addressed those evidently weaker areas in the first 45 minutes, and Mumbai City looked like a rejuvenated outfit. Soon, they were rewarded for their improvement too.

In the 56th minute, Chhangte was sent through down the right flank and played it to Jorge Pereyra Diaz. The Argentine forward held off his marker expertly and found the Indian winger inside the opposition box. Chhangte smashed the ball home from barely 10 yards out, which ended inside the net despite a touch from Amrinder Singh.

But the Juggernauts weren't ready to be mere spectators in the proceedings. Diego Mauricio picked up the ball in the middle of the park before outmuscling an opposition defender and passing the ball to Victor Rodriguez. The Spaniard played it back into the Brazilian's path with a cheeky flick and Mauricio calmly tucked it past under Phurba Lachenpa to restore parity after just seven minutes of conceding.

However, Des Buckingham's men, as they've done in previous matches this season, turned their intensity up a notch and absolutely ripped apart the Juggernauts' defense. Ahmed Jahouh stood over a free kick in the 69th minute and the Moroccan drilled in a delicious effort. Amrinder could only parry it as far as Bipin Singh, who turned home the rebound.

80' | GOOAALL!!!

CHHANGTE AT THE DOUBLE 🔥🔥

A magical piece of footwork from Noguera to get through 3 players, and then feed in a sprinting Chhangte to give #TheIslanders a 2 goal cushion, is the new year gift we all wanted 😍

OFC 1⃣3⃣ MCFC

#OFCMCFC #MumbaiCity #AamchiCity🔵 https://t.co/uba2oRWkos

Just in a jiffy, the floodgates opened as the OFC custodian made a meal while attempting to clear a long ball from substitute Alberto Noguera and all Chhangte had to do was roll the ball into an open net. Minutes later, the former Chennaiyin FC winger turned into a provider when he went past an OFC defender with a darting run down the byline. The 25-year-old looked up, spotted Noguera, and played a low cross into the box for the Spaniard, who nudged it past Amrinder in the 80th minute.

In the dying moments of the game, Mauricio scored his second goal of the night, a stunning volley, but it wasn't anything more than a mere consolation for the Kalinga Warriors. With the final whistle, Odisha's unbeaten run at home came to a close while Mumbai returned to the top of the ISL 2022-23 league standings. The Islanders are two points clear of second-placed Hyderabad FC.