Petrojet tightened their grip on top spot after claiming a 1-0 home victory over Ghazl Mahalla in the Egyptian League on Friday. Veteran striker Alaa Ibrahim, who was the league's top scorer last season, scored the winner 12 minutes after the restart to take his tally to three goals. Petrojet, who secured their third win in four matches, retained their place on top of the league table with 21 points, four ahead of nearest challengers ENPPI. The petroleum club are looking to muster as many points as possible to stay in the title race as Ahli and Zamalek would overtake them on the top should they win their rescheduled matches. The defeat left Mahalla in eighth place with 11 points. The first-half was a dull affair, with neither side being able to mount serious threats. Petrojet had the first chance in the 53rd minute when Mohamed Koffi's low shot narrowly missed the target. Ibrahim broke the deadlock four minutes later after some neat work from his striking partner Al-Sayed Hamdi. Hamdi beat his challenger down the right flank before providing a pinpoint cross at the far post. Former Ahli man Ibrahim gathered the ball, skillfully sidestepped his marker before driving his shot into the bottom corner of the net. Petrojet sat back to defend their lead afterwards, allowing Mahalla to pile on pressure. Mahalla's lively full-backs Mohsen Hendawi and Mohamed Abdul-Shafi whipped in some inch-perfect cross but the team's forwards were unable to make the most of them.
