Deshorn Brown’s hat-trick ensured Mumbai City FC remained winless after two matches as NorthEast United FC shared the spoils with the defending champions in an ISL VII match at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Monday. The match ended 3-3.

Brown scored in the 29th, 56th and 80th minute while Igor Angulo (33rd, 52nd) and Bipin Singh (40th) scored either side of his treble.

The result means Mumbai sit at the top of the pile with 16 points from eight games. NorthEast United remain ninth having eight points from nine games.

Mumbai almost went ahead in the second minute when Ahmed Jahouh’s delivery was met by Ygor Catatau but his thumping header was brilliantly saved by Mirshad Michu in NorthEast United goal.

Mumbai bossed the initial exchanges with Cassio Gabriel and Jahouh pulling the strings in the middle of the park. Mohammad Nawaz did not have to warm his gloves before the first quarter of the half when the keeper tipped over a tricky Mathias Coureur header.

Against the run of play, NorthEast United drew first blood. Brown marked his return to the side with a goal as the Jamaican forward made the most of a brilliant diagonal ball from the impressive Imran Khan to chest it down and slot home past a charging Nawaz.

Stung by the setback just, Mumbai upped the ante and were rewarded soon. Bipin burst through the left flank and squared it for Angulo who tapped home from close.

Seven minutes later and five minutes to half-time, Angulo turned provider as the experienced Spaniard put an overlapping Bipin through with the latter effecting a low finish first time from a tight angle. Mumbai’s joy was shortlived as the excellent Brown got his name on the scoresheet again, peeling away from his marker and finding the mark.