In-form Morsi gives Zamalek fifth straight win in Egyptian league

Zamalek regain their place on top of the Egyptian Premier League table following a 1-0 win over Masry on Saturday

Striker Bassem Morsi scored his third goal in two matches as Zamalek claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Masry in Ismailia to overtake ENPPI on top of the Egyptian Premier League table after recording a fifth straight victory.
The burly 23-year-old frontman, who is gradually establishing himself as a key Zamalek player after joining in the close season, netted what proved to be the winner in the 31st minute as the Cairo club continued their resurgence under Portuguese coach Jaime Pacheco.
Both sides wasted a penalty apiece and Zamalek's Burkinabe defender Mohamed Koffi, who proved a revelation following his summer arrival, was given a straight red card in an exciting second half but the title-hopefuls held on despite their numerical disadvantage to maintain their recent fine run.
Zamalek regained their place at the summit with 21 points, one ahead of second-placed ENPPI. Masry, who made a fine start to their league campaign, remained fourth on 17 points.
Masry had the better of the early exchanges, pressing Zamalek high up the pitch despite the presence of three defensive-minded midfielders in the White Knight's starting line-up.
They had a couple of half-chances, including a 19th-minute volley from Mohamed Adel which went just wide after striker Ahmed Raouf chested a long ball into his path on the edge of the area.
Zamalek lacked spark, with the absence of playmaker Ayman Hefni, who started on the bench, once again leaving them short on imagination in the final third.
However, they made the most of the solitary chance they had before the break when a defensive clearance upfield found Morsi, who broke the offside trap and held off two challengers to race clear and place a low shot past the advancing keeper and into the net.
Morsi also stole the limelight when his brace steered Zamalek to a 3-2 over lowly Ragaa in their previous league game last week.
Action-packed half
The second half was an action-packed one despite being short on quality, with two wasted penalties and a red card.
Masry could have equalized on 62 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after central defender Ali Gabr pushed Hamada Yehia, who was charging on goal. Striker Ahmed Raouf's poor effort was blocked by Zamalek's stand-in keeper Mohamed Abou-Gabal, who has been deputizing for injured shot-stopper Ahmed El-Shennawy lately.
Eight minutes later, Hefni made an instant impact after coming on as a second-half substitute, having recovered from injury.
He skipped past his challenger inside the area only to be tripped, although television replays suggested the Masry defender had cleared the ball before his sliding tackle brought Hefni down.
Morsi, who converted a penalty against Ragaa, was not successful this time around, with his shot down the middle saved by Masry keeper Ahmed Masoud.
Koffi received his marching orders for slapping Raouf in the 75th minute after both men tangled on the touchline, but his dismissal had little impact as Zamalek defended doggedly in the dying minutes to claim all three points.
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