Bengaluru FC made a bold statement to their title charge with a 3-1 win over Salgaocar FC that sent the Blues atop the I-League table at the Kanteerava Stadium on a rainy Sunday evening in Bengaluru. A stunning opener from Thoi Singh, an opportunistic reply from Eugeneson Lyngdoh as soon as Salgaocar got the equaliser through Darryl Duffy, and Curtis Osano’s first goal for the club made sure Bengaluru piled the pressure on second-placed Mohun Bagan over whom the Blues now have a three point lead.

Needing nothing short of a win, Westwood chose to start with two strikers in CK Vineeth and Sean Rooney along with Thoi in midfield while Shankar Sampingiraj played in the right-back position as the Blues got off to a confident start.

Vineeth had a brilliant chance in the 18th minute to give the Blues the lead after Rooney, who was picked by a precise through ball from Sunil Chhetri, played his fellow striker square. In the box and with only the ’keeper to beat, Vineeth saw his shot saved by Karanjit.

But Bengaluru’s wait for the goal wasn’t lengthy. One of the many attacks in a dominant first half yielded a corner. Eugeneson Lyngdoh’s take came off the mix in the box before falling to Thoi who smashed home a belter on the half volley to make it 1-0.

Keen to add to the advantage, Bengaluru created a flurry of chances – some, which they should have finished off, and others, that they were denied by Karanjit as the sides went into half-time amid heavy showers.

The second half underway, Bengaluru seemed to be cruising with ample possession till they were hit by an equaliser in the 69th minute. A diving Duffy met Douhou Pierre’s cross with a header that beat Lalthuammawia Ralte. But such was Bengaluru’s resolve for the win, they needed just five minutes to grab the lead again. Taking out defender Augustin Fernandes down the left, Rooney sent in a cross for Vineeth who had a diving header of his own saved by Karanjit. But an opportunistic Lyngdoh reaped the benefits of his charge as he tapped home the rebound to make it 2-1.

Bengaluru put things to bed when Osano leaped and thumped home Lyngdoh’s corner with his head ten minutes from time as the Blues made it four wins in as many League meetings over Salgaocar. Westwood’s boys next travel to Goa where they play Dempo SC on Saturday before making the trip to Hong Kong for the AFC Cup pre-quarterfinal against South China AA on May 26.