DUBAi: Al-Hilal on Sunday night defeated Neon 2-1 to re-establish their seven-point lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League table after nearest rivals A-Nassr had reduced the gap with a win over AL-Shabab on Saturday.

Al-Hilal now have 41 points from 15 matches, with Al-Nassr second on 34 from the same number of matches.

Neom took the lead on 42 through Mohammed Al-Burayk, and managed to hold on to the lead until half-time. Simone Inzaghi’s men stepped up their play in the second period and levelled the score on 49 minutes through Hassan Al-Tambakti, who powered a header home from a Reuben Neves corner.

An identical corner routine ultimately brought about Al-Hilal’s second 15 minutes later. As another Neves corner was played into the Neon penalty area, Al-Tambakti was wrestled down to the ground and the referee had little hesitation pointing to the spot. Neves himself converted the penalty to secure the three points for Hilal.

Earlier on Sunday, Al-Qadsiah thrashed hosts Al-Hazem 5-1 with all six goal coming in the second half. Mateo Retegui opened the scoring for the visitors on 56 mnutes and Al-Qadisah quickly doubled their lead through Musab Al-Juwayr five minutes later.

Brendan Rodgers’ team were coasting, and despite a host of substitutions by Al-Hazem half way through the second half, the result was put beyond any doubt when Julian Quinones scored on 73 minutes before Ahmed Al-Nakhli’s own goal made it 4-0. With four minutes left, Aboubacar Bah scored a consolation for Al-Hazem, but their was still time for Al-Qadsiah to make it 5-1 through another own goal, this time by Mohammed Isaa in stoppage time.

The result leaves Al-Qadisah fifth in the table, while Al-Hazem sit in 11th.

Meanwhile, 10-man Al-Taawoun claimed all three points at after a  3-1 win at Al-Riyadh to climb back to third, having briefly lost the position to reigning AFC Champions League winners Al-Ahli.