FC Goa ended Mohun Bagan Super Giants unbeaten run with a hard-fought 2-1 victory in the Indian Super League at Fatorda stadium, delivering a perfect Christmas gift to their fans.
Goa drew first blood when in the 13th minute Brison Fernandes, who was Manolo Marquez's preference in the first eleven today, capitalised on a precise pass from Borja Herrera from the right flank.
Dribbling past Asish Rai, Brison unleashed a shot that deflected off Mohun Bagan's Tom Aldred and found the extreme end of the net to the dismay of Vishal Kaith who could not do much. It was FC Goa 1, Mohun Bagan 0.
But the goal did not dent the morale of the Bagan players who forced a corner within a minute of Goa taking the lead, but it did not yield any result. But Bagan players kept on pressing ahead with a handful of their supporters in the stands cheering them on.
Both teams played attacking football making inroads into each others' halves. In the 31st minute Goa's Mohammed Yasir found the ball outside the box. Despite his team members running alongside, Yasir took a shot at goal but it landed in the safe hands of Bagan goalkeeper.
In the 35th minute, Bagan came close to scoring when Alberto Rodriguez rose and headed the ball, but it went straight into the safe hands of Hrithik Tiwari, who stood tall in the goal in today's match.
Again, Goa faced a scare after Manvir entered dangerously in the Goa penalty box forcing a corner in the added time of first half. But that was it and Goa walked off the field with a 1-0 lead at half time.
In the second half, Mohun Bagan started on a strong footing pressing for an equaliser and in the 48th minute almost found it when Sahal Abdul Samad's powerful ground shot was deflected by Hrithik.
Not deterred, Bagan pressed on and found the equaliser through a penalty kick in the 55th minute after Goa's Armando conceded a handball when he tried to defend an onslaught by the Bagan players in the box.
The referee, Crystal John, wasted no time in showing the spot and Dimitrios Petratos didn't miss, making it 1-1 on the scoreboard for Bagan.
After the equaliser, Bagan looked good but it was Goa that came up with a classic goal in the 68th minute through Brison again.
Yet again, it was Herrera who fed a low cross to an unmarked Brison who found the extreme corner of the net through a perfect low header.
In added time of second half, Bagan players made inroads but Sandesh Jhingan and Odei Onaindia stood like rocks.
The brilliant performance by Brison Fernandes won him player of the match and the Gaurs secured all three points, climbing to the third place on the table with 22 points from 12 matches.