Zamalek temporarily raced seven points clear on top of the Egyptian Premier League table after claiming an easy 3-1 victory over Enppi at Cairo Stadium on Friday. All goals were scored in a high tempo first half as playmaker Youssef Ibrahim gave Zamalek an early lead. Skipper Rami Sabri brought Enppi level from the spot but Zamalek's in-form Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki quickly restored their lead with his 11th goal of the season as he moved top of the league's scoring chart. Central defender Mahmoud Alaa, who was at fault for Enppi's penalty, made amends after heading home on the stroke of halftime as Zamalek ran out comfortable winners. The White Knights, who snatched a late 1-1 Cairo derby draw with Ahly last Monday, have 48 points, seven clear of their perennial rivals. However, Ahly can overtake them if they win their three matches in hand. Enppi dropped to ninth in the table with 28 points from 22 games. Ibrahim needed four minutes to put Zamalek ahead following a fine three-man move that he capped with an even better feint. Collecting a pass from Tunisian forward Seifeddine Jaziri on the edge of the area, he flummoxed his challenger with a nice piece of individual skill to break clear and beat the advancing keeper at his near post with a precise low shot. But Zamalek were punished for taking their foot off the gas pedal too early as Enppi were awarded a penalty after Dinopeter Jude tumbled over following an aerial challenge from Alaa. Sabri's 29th-minute Panenka went into the roof of the net even though keeper Mohamed Awad almost got a hand to it. But Bencharki was on target six minutes later, his far-post header going in off the post after Ibrahim flicked a cross from winger Ahmed Zizo into his path. Zizo was also the provider just before the half-time whistle, with his delicately floated free-kick finding Alaa to head home. Zamalek remained in control in a slow-paced first half that witnessed only one goal-scoring chance for the hosts as Enppi offered little at the other end. On 51 minutes, Jaziri raced clear after a threaded pass from right-back Hazem Emam but shot straight at the keeper. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
