Al Jazira strolled to a 5-1 victory over 10-man Ajman with five different scorers finding the net as the Pride of Abu Dhabi temporarily went to the top of the Arabian Gulf League table.
Jazira wasted little time in taking the lead at Rashid bin Saeed Stadium, star striker Ali Mabkhout capitalising on a defensive mistake to round the goalkeeper and net his sixth goal of the campaign to put them in front after just seven minutes.
Ghanaian winger Ernest Asante then took Khalfan Mubarak’s pass and unleashed a powerful effort to make it 2-0 just before the break.
Ajman’s woes deepened in the 63rd minute after Brazilian midfielder Vander Vieira received his marching orders for a second bookable offence.
The visitors capitalised almost instantly with Mubarak sending an inviting ball from a free-kick for centre-back Khalifa Al Hammadi to head home at the far post.
Just two minutes later, it was 4-0 as Leonardo cut in from the left and rifled into the corner from 30 yards out.
There was a consolation for the Orange Brigade 11 minutes from time when Moroccan midfielder Adel Hermach volleyed in Mohammed Shaker’s cushioned header to reduce the deficit.
But 2016/17’s Young Player of the Year Mubarak continued his excellent start to the campaign when he rounded the scoring in the 85th minute after receiving Abdulla Ramadan’s pass on the edge of the box and drilling an effort into the bottom corner to cap yet another impressive individual and team performance.
In Tuesday’s other game, Al Wasl’s earned a less than convincing win at home to Emirates Club – two goals in the final 16 minutes earning Gustavo Quinteros side a 2-1 victory.
It’s been a poor start to the campaign for the Cheetahs, who took the lead through Caio after 74 minutes, following Amer Omar’s red card for the visitors five minutes earlier. But the Falcons equalised in the 80th minute through Husam Loutfy.
Nasser Noor struck a late winner for the hosts who climb to fifth with just their second win in four games.
