Kolkata, March 6 Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant, thanks to a four-goal performance from their Australian striker Jamie Maclaren, defeated Odisha FC 5-1 in an Indian Super League match at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Friday.
Maclaren scored four goals (14th, 24th, 45+2nd, 88th) to record his first ISL hat-trick, while Spanish defender Alberto Rodriguez (42nd) also scored for the home team.
Rahim Ali scored the lone goal for Odisha in the 43rd minute.
With this result, Mohun Bagan consolidated their position at the top of the standings with 12 points from four matches, while Odisha FC remained on two points after their first defeat of the season.
Mohun Bagan, who had also won their previous game by the same margin against local rivals Mohammedan Sporting, took control early.
A clever move involving Dimitri Petratos released Subhasish Bose down the left, and his cross into the box was met by Maclaren, who headed the ball home to open the scoring.
The hosts continued to dominate and doubled their lead 10 minutes later.
Petratos again played a key role with a long pass that allowed Liston Colaco to break into space, before setting up Maclaren, who calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Amrinder Singh.
Bagan extended their lead when Rodriguez ventured forward and unleashed a long-range shot from around 35 yards that flew past the helpless Amrinder.
Odisha briefly reduced the deficit just before halftime when Rahim controlled a long ball, got past the defenders, and rounded goalkeeper Vishal Kaith before finishing into an empty net.
However, Maclaren restored the three-goal lead in the first half stoppage time after being set up by Colaco, completing his hat-trick.
The Australian forward added his fourth goal later in the second half, capping a dominant performance for the hosts as they secured a convincing victory.
