East Bengal's Calcutta Football League juggernaut has finally been halted. The Red and Golds were held to a 2-2 draw by Mohammedan Sporting and as a result, Khalid Jamil's charges have allowed fierce rivals, Mohun Bagan, a way back into the title picture.
It had all looked done and dusted when Bagan played a 1-1 draw with Rainbow a few days ago, handing the initiative to East Bengal's hands.
However, the Mariners' hard-fought win over Mohammedan last week meant that East Bengal were made to pay today, despite the club having won every single match of the CFL 2017 so far apart from the game today.
However, a better goal difference means the Red and Golds have overtaken Bagan atop the standings. With only two matches remaining and both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan sitting on the same number of points, the last legs of the CFL 2017 promises to be more exciting than ever before.
Here is the updated CFL 2017 table after today's game:
1 East Bengal - 19 points - 7 matches
2 Mohun Bagan - 19 points - 7 matches
3 Mohammedan Sporting - 14 points - 8 matches
4 Peerless - 9 points - 5 matches
5 Rainbow - 8 points - 7 matches
6 Tollygunge Agragami - 7 points - 5 matches
7 Calcutta Customs - 6 points - 7 matches
8 Patha Chakra - 4 points - 7 matches
9 Southern Samity - 1 point - 4 matches
10 Railway - 0 point - 5 matches
With the result today, 24th September's Kolkata derby has become a do-or-die battle for East Bengal to retain their CFL crown. The Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri will be the venue for the grand occasion.
Also Read: East Bengal 2-2 Mohammedan Sporting, As it happened, CFL 2017