In a do-or-die battle, former National Football League champions East Bengal beat Viva Kerala 3-1 in the penultimate round of the inaugural ONGC I-League championship at the Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode on Sunday.
The Kolkata giants, who have collected 18 points from 17 rounds, thus ensured their place in the elite league, while Viva (12 points) were relegated to the second division, along with bottom-placed Salgaocar Sports Club, Goa.
Needing a win to lift themselves out of the relegation zone, Viva conceded the initiative in the 20th minute when East Bengal skipper Syed Rahim Nabi netted the goal, taking full advantage of the home team's poor defence.
However, Viva got the equaliser in the injury time of the first half when Ebin Rose successfully connected with a perfect cross from KV Lalu.
After changing ends, the visitors played with added vigour to go up 2-1 in the 57th minute when Alvito D'Cunha scored off a pass from man-of-the-match Nabi from the centre.
Viva's hopes were finally sealed minutes before the final whistle when Brazilian striker Edmilson M Pardal came up with the best goal of the day, neatly connecting with a free-kick by Alvito.
East Bengal custodian Subrata Pal excelled under the bar.