Hosni Abd-Rabou scored a hat-trick as Ismaily beat Ittihad El-Shorta 4-1 to stay in the title race, while Arab Contractors and Wadi Degla clinch crucial wins in their relegation struggle Ismaily hammered Ittihad El-Shorta 4-1 Thursday at home to move within four points of co-leaders Ahly and Zamalek. Nigerian striker Ndubuisi Godwin gave the hosts an early lead in the 11th minute as Abdallah El-Said's blocked shot was laid into his path in front of an empty net. Hosni Abd-Rabou, however, stole the show with a virtuoso second-half display that left El-Shorta's defence —the strongest of the Egyptian Premier League —trailing in his wake. He doubled the lead in the 55thminute as his free-kick hit over an opposing defender and tricked the keeper to reach the back of the net. Two minutes later he fired an amazing 35-yard ball that went directly to the left-bottom side of the keeper and goal. Salah Ashour pulled one back for the visitors in the 61stminute, but Abd-Rabou killed any hopes of a comeback with another trademark free-kick in the 68thminute. The other big story of the day was in the relegation battle.In Alexandria, Egypt U-20 striker with Arab Contractors Mohamed Salah netted twice inside the opening 19 minutes (17th minute and 19th minute) to sink Smouha 2-0 to earn three precious points and move away from the danger zone with 22 points. Wadi Degla came from a goal down to beat Gouna 3-1 at home. In the 53rdminute, Ashour El-Taqi cancelled Sherif Ashraf's early lead in the 12thminute. Mostafa Shebeta put his side ahead in the 62ndminute and El-Taqi doubled his tally of goals in the dying seconds to secure the full points of the game.
