I-League: Churchill down East Bengal 3-0, take four-point lead

In a top-of-the-table clash, Henry Antchouet struck twice as Churchill Brothers brightened their I-League title hopes with a crushing 3-0 win over local heavyweights and last year's runners-up East Bengal in a round 17 fixture, in Kolkata on Saturday.

Antchouet scripted the win for the Churchill Brothers with strikes in the 34th and 45+2nd minutes, while super-sub Akram Moghrabi completed the tally in the 82nd minute as the Goans went four points clear of East Bengal at the top of the table.

Churchill have 37 points from 15 matches, compared to 33 of second-placed East Bengal who have played two matches more.

Dempo hammer United Sikkim 7-0

Koko Sakibo scored a hat-trick as Dempo trounced United Sikkim FC 7-0 in a 17th round match of the I-League at Duler ground in Mapusa on Saturday.

Dempo, who led 2-0 at half time, scored through Joaquim Abranches (5th), Clifford Miranda (35th, 77th), Sakibo (56th, 59th, injury time) and Joy Ferrao (84th).

The win takes Dempo to 33 points from 16 matches, same as East Bengal who lost today against Churchill Brothers while United Sikkim FC remained at the bottom with 10 points from 16 matches.

Dempo, who had failed to win in their last three matches, were desperate to garner full points to keep themselves close to Churchill Brothers who are leading the table with 37 points.