Kolkata: Mohun Bagan returned to winning ways after two consecutive defeats as they beat Pailan Arrows 2-0 in their return-leg I-League fixture at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Friday.
The scoreline, however, did not reflect the resistance they faced in the first half as the title favourites, despite playing with a full-strength side, struggled to get the lead.
After a goalless first-half, Bagan took the lead with a 65th-minute Jose Barreto header, while Sheikh Jewel Raja scored an easy 77th-minute goal to complete the tally.
After the 17th round, Bagan have 30 points and are in fourth spot in the standings, while the winless Arrows stretched their losing streak to eight.
Having lost their previous two exchanges against Sporting Clube de Goa and Prayag United, the home side played with more purpose and had more ball possession in the opening half, but lacked the final touch to translate a good move into a goal.
With star striker Sunil Chhetri returning to action along with Rakesh Masih and Raja, Bagan fielded a full-strength line-up, but they struggled in the first 45 minutes, with the Arrows putting up a brave display.
Barring Barreto's header from the right, which was brilliantly saved by an outstretched Naveen Kumar under the bar, Bagan hardly had any goal-making move in the first 45 minutes.
Nigerian goal machine Odafa Okolie had a lacklustre outing and Chhetri was no better in his comeback match, but the Arrows put up a spirited show, with CS Sabeeth and Bijendra Rai making forays into the Mohun Bagan defence.
But before the situation changed from bad to worse, Barreto scored the timely goal when his header from a Hudson Lima corner from the right found the target.
Soon Bagan doubled the lead when Raja scored an easy goal from Syed Rahim Nabi's brilliant pass 12 minutes later.
Pailan Arrows put up a spirited fight and created several chances, but their inexperience proved to be a major handicap. They now languish in the 13th spot, with seven points from 15 matches.
Mohun Bagan had won the first-round encounter between the two sides 3-1.
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