East Bengal retained the National Football League title, blanking a lowly Indian Bank 3-0 in a 20th round match in Kolkata on Wednesday.
The victory took East Bengal's tally 46 points and although two more rounds remain to be played, they are well ahead of nearest rivals Dempo Sports Club, Goa, who have 39 points from 20 matches.
Literally toying with the bankmen, who occupy the lowest rung of the league ladder, the red and gold brigade led by a goal at the breather.
By clinching the league title for the third time, East Bengal equalled arch-rival Mohun Bagan's record.
Baichung Bhutia, Douglas de Silva and substitute Dipankar Roy were the scorers for East Bengal, who will have to wait till their last match against Sporting Clube de Goa, on May 12 in Goa, to be formally anointed champions.
They play their penultimate match -- an away game against another Goan outfit, Churchill Brothers, on May 9.
Indian Bank have a paltry eight points from 20 games.
