Kolkata, September 14: East Bengal FC sealed a 3-1 victory in the heat up fixture over Diamond Harbour FC in the Super Six stage clash on Sunday, moved one step closer towards their fourtheet CFL title.

Both sides started on the front foot, but neither goalkeeper was threatened in the early exchanges. However, Diamond Harbour suffered a setback within the opening minute as Ruhul Kuddus Purkait went down injured and was replaced by Subhodeep Ghosh.

In the 16th minute, East Bengal created the first real chance when from the left Aman CK placed the ball for Vishnu. Vishnu tried a long-range attempt from outside the box, but his effort went over the bar. The pressure paid off in the 26th minute when Aman chipped a ball for Vishnu inside the six yards area. From the left Vishnu squared it for David, who calmly placed the ball into the net to give East Bengal a 1-0 lead.

Just before the break, Diamond Harbour nearly equalised. In the second minute of stoppage time, Joby Justin moved past two defenders and almost capitalised on the chance, in an one-on-one situation, however keeper Debjit Majumder rushed out to deny him.

Early in the second half, Joby again went close in the 49th minute with a shot from inside the box, but Debjit stood firm with another save. At the other end, Vishnu missed a golden opportunity in the 67th minute when Jesin TK’s cutback found him inside the box, but his first-time strike went over the bar.

Diamond Harbour equalised the score in the 72nd minute. Paul delivered a precise free-kick from the left, and Sairuatkima headed out the ball into the net, making it 1-1.

However, East Bengal responded within three minutes, in the 75th minute, Sayan Banerjee’s solo run split open the defence. His cross into the box was not properly cleared, and Jesin TK capitalised on the loose ball to restore the lead at 2-1.

Diamond Harbour continued to push forward and won another dangerous free-kick in the 89th minute, but Paul’s strike was brilliantly saved by Debjit. Deep into stoppage time, East Bengal sealed the win. In the 90+6th minute, Provat’s long clearance found Jesin, who went on a solo run and finished clinically to make it 3-1.

With this result, East Bengal boosted their chances in the title race, while Diamond Harbour were left to rue missed opportunities and defensive lapses, still have one match to play. In the other Super Six clash, United Sports Club beat Calcutta Customs 2-0 and have two more matches to play, so the name of the new title holders is still in the mist, as the contest remains very tough.