Their star recruit Ranti Martins (36th minute) headed home the decisive goal after Prolhad Roy's 27th minute strike was nullified by Tollygunge's Bello Rassaq within a space of six minute with a rising header.
In the three way race, East Bengal finished at the top with 25 points, one point adrift bitter foes Mohun Bagan who continued their trophy drought with the last coming in 2009.
Tollygunge finished third with 22 points as their hope to be the first team to break the hegemony of the Big 3 in the local league since Eastern Railway's triumph in 1958, was denied by a brilliant East Bengal.