India, Aug. 23 -- The ignominy of poor runs in the Indian Super League (ISL) has been erased but East Bengal still needed a statement of intent in a Kolkata derby to show that they were back at the top. They chose the final of the Indian Oil 135th Durand Cup to do that.

The 4-1 win against Mohun Bagan Super Giant was reminiscent of how they had knocked the archrivals off their perch with a similar scoreline in another cup competition 29 years ago. Then, it was Bhaichung Bhutia who was the cynosure. On Sunday, tournament's Golden Ball winner Edmund Lalrindika joined Bhutia, Edeh Chidi and Kiyan Nassiri as the only players with a hattrick in Asian football most storied rivalry, one that is 101 years old. Never before has a team scored four...