Kolkata: Edmund Lalrindika struck a dream derby hat-trick as a compact East Bengal produced a scintillating show to rout Mohun Bagan 4-1 and clinch a record-equalling 17th Durand Cup title here on Sunday.
It also ended the Red and Gold’s 22-year wait for the trophy, having last won in 2004 with a 2-1 win over Mohun Bagan.
The Antonio Lopez Habas-coached side were at their fluid best, with skipper Mohammed Rashid holding the midfield and orchestrating their attacks, as East Bengal handed their arch-rivals a nightmare start by scoring four goals in a breathtaking first half.
Rashid set up Bipin Singh’s opener in the 10th minute and later assisted Lalrindika’s hat-trick goal in the 44th minute.
Playing as a lone forward in place of Jesin TK, Lalrindika also struck in the 12th and 22nd minutes as East Bengal virtually buried their arch-rivals’ hopes in an action-packed first half.
Manvir Singh pulled one back for Mohun Bagan in the 33rd minute, providing a solitary moment of joy for the Mariners.
But the reigning Indian Super League champions remained compact and disciplined to see out the match and exact revenge for their 0-1 defeat in the 2023 final that had given Mohun Bagan a record 17th title.
The result means the two city heavyweights are now even-stevens, with 17 Durand Cup titles apiece in the 135-year history of the Asia’s oldest competition.
It was a dream start from the Habas’s men as East Bengal virtually sealed Mohun Bagan’s fate before the half-hour mark, with the Red and Gold Brigade running riot in a pulsating first half.
Bipin opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a composed left-footed finish.
Captain Rashid won possession in the opposition half, shaped as if to shoot before slipping the ball through to Bipin, who calmly drilled his effort from inside the box past Vishal Kaith.
Before Mohun Bagan could regroup, East Bengal struck again.
Edmund doubled the lead, bursting forward on the counter before unleashing a powerful 20-yard effort that took a deflection off Kaith and nestled into the net.
Edmund was at it again in the 22nd minute, this time finishing into an empty net.
Hardik Bhatt picked up the ball on the left and fed Daniel Ramirez, who threaded it through to Lalrindika.
The striker took a touch into the box, rounded the advancing Kaith with another touch and slotted into the unguarded goal.
The captain was involved once again as Rashid delivered a teasing cross to the far side of the box, where Jay Gupta arrived at pace and squared it across the face of goal for Edmund to tap home and complete his hat-trick.
Manvir gave Mohun Bagan a glimmer of hope after the drinks break, pulling one back to make it 4-1, but the Mariners’ revival never materialised.
Their defensive gaps and lack of control in key areas left them with too much ground to make up for the Greek tactician Panagiotis Dilmperis as East Bengal comfortably protected their advantage.
For Habas, the triumph carried an added emotional weight, given his deep ties with both sides of the Kolkata derby.
The Spaniard had previously guided ATK to two ISL titles in 2014 and 2019-20, and also enjoyed a successful stint with Mohun Bagan, but now returned to haunt his former club from the East Bengal dugout.
Taking charge of a new-look East Bengal side after Oscar Bruzon’s departure, Habas quickly stamped his authority on the team, instilling defensive solidity, midfield cohesion and a disciplined approach.
He had already masterminded a memorable comeback against Kuwait’s Al-Arabi SC in an AFC Champions League knockout fixture, overturning a 0-1 deficit in extra time.
