ISL 2021-22: Mumbai City bags home 1-1 spoiler after falling short to resilient NortEast United

Mumbai City FC's winless streak in the Indian Super League continues after the 1-1 draw against North East United FC at the PJN Stadium, Goa. The Islanders bagged an early lead after Ahmed Jahouh converted from a spot-kick in the 30th minute.

But after the break, it was all Highlanders' show. As the Khalid Jamil managed side continued to create chances. It was in the 79th minute when NEUFC finally got their solitary goal of the match when Md Irshad converted from a deflected through ball.

NorthEast United remained at 10th place in the table, having 10 points from 14 games. For Mumbai, things got worse as Amey Ranawade was shown a red card in stoppage time after he picked up his second yellow card.

NorthEast United were off to a positive start but Mumbai soon got their grip on the tie, Jahouh whipping in a delicious ball for Vikram Pratap Singh whose flick-on was off target. Mourtada Fall was denied by a sharp save from Subhasish Roy Chowdhury as Mumbai started calling the shots.

The momentum soon reflected in a goal albeit from a spot-kick after Vikram was tripped inside the box by Mashoor Shereef. NorthEast protested vehemently against the decision by the referee pointed to the spot and Jahouh thumped the ball high and into the left corner of the goal leaving Roy Chowdhury with no chance to get a hand to it.

Stung by a goal, the Highlanders upped the ante but it was Mumbai who looked the likelier of the two sides to double their lead. Just before halftime, Bradden Inman missed a sitter after being set up by Cassio Gabriel.

In the second period, NorthEast United had an early chance to equalise but Gurjinder Kumar headed wide. The best chance for NorthEast United fell to Suhair Vadakkepeedika whose chip caught Mohamad Nawaz off his line but the ball cannoned off the post.

Two minutes later, Marcelinho's effort thundered off the bar as NorthEast United as Mumbai breathed a sigh of relief. Hernan Santana then tried his luck from range with a delightful free-kick but the keeper did well to keep his effort at bay. NorthEast United kept knocking on the door and finally got their reward from an unlikely source.

Minutes after coming on for Sehnaj Singh, defender Irshad found the back of the net with a striker's finish after the ball fell to him from a NorthEast United corner and he applied a neat finish towards the far corner.

Cassio Gabriel got a golden chance to help Mumbai back into the lead after Amey Ranawade swung in a sharp cross for him inside the box but the Brazilian forced a sharp save from Roy Chowdhury.