JEDDAH: An Ivan Toney hat-trick secured the three points for Al-Ahli on Wednesday in a 3-1 home victory over Al-Fateh in the Saudi Pro League.
The English striker opened the scoring at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium from the penalty spot in the 27th minute, giving the hosts a deserved half-time lead after they dominated in terms of possession and chances.
Al-Fateh responded shortly after the break, however, courtesy of a Sofiane Bendebka goal in the 50th minute, assisted by Matias Vargas.
Toney restored the Jeddah club’s advantage with another penalty in the 76th minute before completing his treble in stoppage time, converting from close range after a pass from Saleh Abu Al-Shamat.
Al-Ahli deserved the points, having controlled much of the game. They finished with 56 percent of the possession and outshot their opponents 20-12, including nine efforts on target.
The result keeps them in third place and mathematically still in the title race; with three games remaining they sit seven points behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, who top the table, and five back from Al-Hilal.
However, with the season in the home stretch it is Al-Nassr, who travel to 13th-place Al-Shabab on Thursday, who remain firmly in the driving seat.
