Indian Super League: Hume hat-trick reignites Kolkata’s campaign

Atletico de Kolkata broke their three-match losing streak with clinical counter-attacking display to surge to 4-1 win against Mumbai City FC at the DY Patil Stadium here on Sunday. Canadian striker Iain Hume scored a hat-trick while Jewel Raja chipped in with a goal to seal third win of the season for the defending champions.

This was third hat-trick by any player this season and also third overall in the history of ISL at this venue.

The visitors also halted three-match winning streak from Mumbai City. Both the teams have now ten points from seven games. Substitute Selim Benachour pulled one back from the home team.

Nicolas Anelka started for the first time this season, perhaps, to wow the home crowd before ending home stretch of five games. However the ploy didn’t seem to work as Sunil Chhetri was pushed to left and he looked out of place. Sony Norde also seemed to fizzle under the weight of Anelka’s presence.

Anelka had first chance after getting cross from Juan Aguilera but Amrinder Singh charged quickly to block angle in the ninth minute and injured himself in the process. Moments later, Aguilera free-kick almost found Anelka but angle was too narrow to score.

After resisting ruthless attacks the visitors launched a quick counter with Jaime Gaavilan rushing forward and sending accurate long ball for Hume who was charging into the box and he maintained good balance to volley the ball into back of the net and catch Subrata Paul out of position in the 34th minute.

Before the break Hume scored from the spot to put his side 2-0 up after clumsy challenge from Subash Singh on Jaime Gavilan inside the box. The visitors capitalised twice on the counter-attacks sending tremors in the rival defence.

The hosts reacted by making all the three changes at the start of second half. Fredric Piquionne, Selim Benachour and Rowilson Rodrigues replaced Frantz Bertin, Darren O’Dea and Subash.