Zamalek continue their winning streak in their Egyptian Premier League campaign, beating Military Production 2-0 in Cairo on Wednesday night. Zamalek now have 10 victories from their last 11 games. The White Knights could have secured a more emphatic victory over an on-form Production side, but failed to convert a lot of chances. Nevertheless, they managed to claim all three points via a goal from attacking midfielder Hussein Yasser and a penalty from central defender Mahmoud Fathallah, either side of the interval. Zamalek have cemented their second place and keep alive their slim hopes of launching a late assault on the league title. They are three points behind leaders Al-Ahly, who have two games in hand. Production, who are doing very well in their first season in the top flight, remain fifth with 34 points from 23 matches. Production had the upper hand in the opening exchanges, capitalising on some unusually poor marking from Zamalek defenders. Former Zamalek midfielder Mohamed Abul Ella dived to head a right-wing cross just wide of the post after 13 minutes, before striker Sameh Adrous rattled the crossbar with a fierce shot. The Cairo side then took full control, thanks to the tireless efforts of Yasser, who played alongside Shikabala to support lone striker Ahmed Gaafar. The Egyptian-born Qatari, who joined Zamalek in January after a disappointing spell at Ahly, repaid coach Hossam Hassan's faith with a superb performance. Hussein burst into the box and overcame his challengers with neat tricks on several occasions during the first half, but his final touches were not so accurate. He made amends for a number of wasted opportunities in the 35th minute when he stepped inside his marker on the edge of the area and beat below-par keeper Moustafa Kamal with a low shot at his near post. Zamalek were also the dominant side in the second half, with Production defenders unable to stop a wave of attacks. Gaafar squandered a glorious opportunity to double Zamalek's advantage in the 47th minute. Shikabala raced into the area and outpaced his marker before squaring the ball for Gaafar, who mis-hit his kick with the goal gaping. Defensive midfielder Hassan Moustafa was also thwarted by keeper Kamal when clean through three minutes later. Fathallah put the result beyond doubt in the 73rd minute, when he found the top corner with a powerful drive after the referee awarded Zamalek a penalty for a foul on midfielder Hossam Arafat. In another league match, Abdel-Salam Najah helped el-Masri defeated Mansoura 1-0 away from home on Wednesday night, when he netted in the 50th minute. With this win, el-Masri lie in ninth place with 28 points, while Mansoura stay in 15th place with 14 points. Mansoura, who are competing in the top flight this season after several years of absence, are threatened with relegation again. They played altogether too defensively, depending on counter attacks, which were all in vain. Meanwhile, in Alexandria, Al-Ittihad beat Ghazl 1-0 at home, Ahmed Adel netting the winner in the 68th minute. With this win, Al-Ittihad move up to the seventh place with 32 points, while el-Mahalla are in 11th place with 27 points.
