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- Al-Ittihad now have 52 points from 20 games, four ahead of Al-Hilal and eight clear of Al-Nassr and Al-Qadsiah
JEDDAH: Al-Ittihad defeated Al-Wehda 4-1 on Saturday to move four points clear of Al-Hilal at the top of the Saudi Pro League thanks to a vintage display from Karim Benzema who scored one and made two.
Just 24 hours after Al-Hilal were held at home by Al-Riyadh, Ittihad made no such mistake in the Old Derby.
It was a tough match however, one which exploded into life in an eight minute period just before the break.
Muhammad Al-Shanqiti opened the scoring after 37 minutes for the visitors. Benzema slipped the full-back through on the right side of the area and he shot across into the net from a tight angle. After a VAR check, the goal stood.
It was a short lived lead as Al Wehda were back in level terms five minutes later.
Jawad El-Yamiq picked up possession outside the area and while the Moroccan's shot was fierce, Predrag Rajkovic seemed to have made the save but the ball slipped from the goalkeeper’s grasp and into the net.
There was just enough time before the half time whistle for Benzema to put the Tigers back in front. Moussa Diaby controlled a bouncing ball in the area and then, under close attention from the defence, back heeled to his fellow Frenchman.
There was still a lot of work for the former Real Madrid star to do but he made a little space and drilled a perfect low shot into the corner to ensure that the Jeddah giants went in ahead at the break with his 15th goal of the season in the league.
Steven Bergwijn was extended Ittihad’s lead on the hour. The Dutchman fired home after a Diaby shot had been blocked.
The visitors put the icing on the cake deep into injury time. Benzema squeezed a pass through a crowded penalty area and there was Houssem Aouar alone in the box to add a fourth for the league leaders who are looking very good indeed.
Al-Ittihad now have 52 points from 20 games, four ahead of Al-Hilal and eight clear of Al-Nassr and Al-Qadsiah.