AL-ITTIHAD EDGE CLOSER TO SAUDI TITLE – Al-Ittihad bounced back from losing 2-0 to Al-Fateh in their previous match to move up to 68 points with five games remaining
Al-Ittihad moved six points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League after coming from behind to beat Al-Ittifaq 3-2 as title rivals Al-Hilal were held to a 2-2 draw by Al-Shabab.
Al-Ittihad bounced back from losing 2-0 to Al-Fateh in their previous match to move up to 68 points with five games remaining.
Al-Ittifaq scored first after five minutes when Vitinho had a powerful shot deflected into the net, but Al-Ittihad equalised six minutes later when a low cross from Karim Benzema found Danilo Pereira who slotted it home from close range.
Benzema took matters into his own hands to score their second goal 10 minutes before halftime, when he capitalised on a defensive error to go one-on-one with the keeper and score easily.
Houssem Our made it 3-1 for Al-Ittihad just before the interval after a low cross from Moussa Diaby.
Chances were limited in the second half, but the game became nervy in the closing minutes as Al-Ittifaq pulled one back after an own goal from Danilo seven minutes before fulltime.
