Benzema's Al-Ittihad continue defence charge with Al-Tai victory

Following Al-Nassr's and Al-Hilal's stumbles, Al-Ittihad fully capitalised, beating Al-Tai 2-0 to stay top of the Saudi Professional League table. 

The Tigers hosted their opponents at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium for their first home game of the season after defeating AL-Raed in the first match of the season. The visitors proved to be a tough hurdle, but Nuno Espirito Santo's men eventually overcame them.

The Tigers know they have to be near perfect to retain their title, given the level of investment going on in the league round and especially among the top teams.  

So when, despite their pressure on the Al-Tai backline, the first-half remained goalless, there was panic in the air, as the hosts are aware the margin for error is even slimmer this season. 

They came out guns blazing in the second, and their industry was soon rewarded. 

The opener came from a cheeky set-piece routine when Igor Coronado took a corner quickly, catching Al-Tai's backline unaware to find Abderrazak Hamdallah in the front post. The No.99 made no mistake, burying the ball in the roof of the net and beating the since-impregnable Victor Braga.  

The visitors threatened an equaliser but were unlucky. Al-Ittihad soon confirmed maximum points thanks to a late Saleh Al-Amri strike.