Al-Hilal defeated Al-Ittihad 3-1 in the Saudi Clasico on Saturday to make it four wins from four to go three points clear at the top above the visitors at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings. It was all too easy for the defending champions as they were three goals up by the end of the first half in what was an ominous performance for the rest of the league. Red-hot striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored goals seven and eight this season before Salem Al-Dawsari put it beyond the Jeddah team with an exquisite strike.
While Al-Hilal had won all of their last seven games against Al-Ittihad in all competitions, such a comfortable victory was not expected as this was not only the first Saudi Clasico of the season but a highly-anticipated meeting between the top two who have been in great form. With Ettifaq losing 3-0 to Al-Nassr on Friday, the two teams were the only ones left still with maximum points and something had to give in the capital. Before Saturday, Al-Ittihad had been looking very good indeed and had enjoyed plenty of rest but it wasn't enough.
Hilal, who went to Qatar midweek to defeat Al-Rayyan in the first game of the AFC Champions League Elite, made the early running, roared on by their fans. In just the third minute they were ahead. Ruben Neves floated over a perfect cross from the right and there was Mitrovic at the far post to send a perfect header into the net.
The former Fulham forward has been on fire this season so far. It was not the start that Al-Ittihad .