Goals from Sean Rooney, Sunil Chhetri and Robin Singh saw a ruthless Bengaluru FC break the jinx and beat East Bengal Club 3-0 to move within one point of I-League leaders Mohun Bagan, at a packed Kanteerava Stadium, in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Coming into the game without having beaten East Bengal in all competitions, Ashley Westwood’s boys made light of the numbers and history to put on yet another clinical display as East Bengal struggled to cope with the wave of attacks all through the game.

Rooney’s goal came after Abhijit Mondal was drawn into a save from a Sunil Chhetri shot on target. Eugeneson Lyngdoh’s take from the resultant corner came off the melee in the box and fell to the Australian striker who made the sweetest of connections that flew into the goal.

Buoyed by the goal which was the Blues’ first against East Bengal in all competitions, the hosts created a flurry of dangerous chances and should have added more than a goal to take back to the dressing room at halftime. CK Vineeth squirmed into the box but dragged his shot just wide while Chhetri, receiving the ball from Rooney on a counter, curled his take just inches beyond the far post.

Bengaluru went into the break with the lead and a forced change after a niggle meant Rooney had to be replaced by Robin Singh.

The dominant of the two teams over the first half, Bengaluru didn’t show any hints of letting the show fade after the break and were rewarded on the hour mark when Chhetri rose to nod Lyngdoh’s freekick and make it 2-0.

Up against the league’s top scorer in Ranti Martins Soleye, the Blues defence left the pitch without ruffled feathers and yet another clean sheet as the Nigerian was kept quiet through the game.

Against the run of play, Robin sealed the three points for the men in Blue, weaving past three defenders before rounding the ’keeper and slotting home the Blues’ third goal of the night against his former club.

Bengaluru now have 31 points from 16 games, one short of Bagan who have a game in hand. The Blues next travel to Shillong to play Shillong Lajong on May 8.