Pune outclass Mumbai in Maharashtra derby

Striker Tuncay Sanli scored a brilliant brace as FC Pune City ousted arch-rivals Mumbai City FC 3-1 in the Maharashtra derby of the Indian Super League's (ISL) second season at the Balewadi Stadium here on Monday.

Sanli opened the scoring for the hosts in the 12th minute before the visitor's Frederic Piquionne levelled proceedings in the 34th minute. Sanli got his second after the break in the 56th minute which was followed by a third for the hosts courtesy Israil Gurung in 68th minute.

Pune's English coach David Platt used his experience to good effect as he fielded a 4-5-1 formation without some of his Indian players who are away on national duty.

On the other hand, Mumbai's marquee player-cum-manager Nicolas Anelka opted to bench himself and fielded Pratesh Shirodkar and Aguilera as the two playmakers with Andre Moritz, Sony Norde and Piquionne leading the attack.

The hosts started off with a positive mindset. Tuncay opened the scoring from a counter-attack when Lenny Rodrigues' pass found Shorey. The winger picked out Gurung whose inch perfect cross was headed in from close range at the far post by Tuncay.

Mumbai responded well with some attacking football and they levelled things up in the 34th minute, thanks to Piquionne. Ashutosh Mehta delivered a sublime cross for tghe former Monaco forward who finished with an accurate header into the bottom corner.

Just after the start of the second half, Andre Moritz had a great chance to put Mumbai in the lead, but he blasted the ball wide.

It was again the combination of Gurung and Sanli that found Pune's second goal as a sumptuous cross from the right found its way to the far post where the former Turkish international headed in again to make it 2-1 for the hosts.

Pune did not stop there as a speculative cross by Gurung in the 68th minute took a massive deflection off Juan Aguilera and the ball looped past the outstretched hands of Mumbai goalkeeper Albino Gomes to plonk itself in the corner of the net to give the home side a 3-1 lead.

With this win, Pune registered their second straight Maharashtra derby win.

Pune will next face NorthEast United FC on October 9 at home, while Mumbai will take on Kerala Blasters FC in Kochi on October 10.