Ahly returned to winning ways after two consecutive draws with a swagger, demolishing Smouha 4-0 in Alexandria to continue their pursuit of leaders Zamalek in the Egyptian Premier League on Sunday. The Red Devils floored Smouha in five first-half minutes, scoring three quick-fire goals shortly before the break through Mohamed Sherif, Hussein El-Shahat and Ali Maaloul (penalty). Sherif completed his double in the 58th minute to take his tally for the season to 11 goals as Ahly avenged their last-gasp 2-1 loss to Smouha in the reverse league fixture in April. They also atoned for a disappointing 2-2 draw with Pyramids FC on Thursday, which saw them concede a stoppage-time goal following a dreadful blunder from keeper Mohamed El-Shennawi. Ahly are second in the table with 45 points, 16 behind perennial Cairo rivals Zamalek, who played six matches more. Should Ahly win their games in hand, they will overtake Zamalek with a two-point lead. One-sided game Ahly wasted three clear-cut chances inside the first 20 minutes, overwhelming Smouha from the outset. Winger Taher Mohamed Taher was thwarted by Smouha keeper El-Hani Soliman in a one-on-one, El-Shahat fired over the bar with the goal gaping after rounding the shot-stopper and Sherif headed against the bar from a left-wing cross. The goal bonanza finally started on 40 minutes when Sherif beat Soliman at his near post with a precise low shot after a superb exchange of passes with Taher. Two minutes later, El-Shahat doubled the lead when his first-time half-volley struck the keeper's hands and went in before winning a penalty moments later when he was felled by a reckless tackle from Mahmoud El-Badri. Tunisian left-back Maaloul, who missed a penalty against Pyramids, sent Soliman the wrong way to put the result beyond doubt. Ahly somewhat eased off after the break, with coach Pitso Mosimane taking off some key players to rest them, including Mohamed El-Shennawi. However, they still put the icing on the cake with a fourth goal, Sherif side-footing home from inside the area to finish off a flowing move. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
