Martinelli and Watkins move joint-top for Al Hilal after Al-Ittihad errors

Gabriel Martinelli and Ollie Watkins both scored as Al Hilal took advantage of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s absence to move joint-top of the club’s scoring chart in the Roshn Saudi League this season.

Al Hilal hosted Al-Ittihad at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on Saturday in the eighth round of the competition, with Martinelli opening the scoring after 11 minutes.

The Brazilian winger converted a low cross from Watkins, sending the ball past Al-Ittihad’s Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.

Watkins then doubled Al Hilal’s advantage in the 30th minute after capitalising on an unusual mistake by Al-Ittihad defender Danilo Pereira.

Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves delivered a cross into the area, which Pereira attempted to control. The defender failed to deal with it, allowing Watkins to steal possession and guide the ball into the net.

The goals took both Martinelli and Watkins to four in the Roshn Saudi League this season, level with Milinkovic-Savic, who missed the match through injury.

The pair have been particularly influential in Al Hilal’s most recent two league matches. Martinelli scored a hat-trick against Al-Taawoun in the previous round, while Watkins scored twice and provided two assists in the same game.

Martinelli’s opener against Al-Ittihad came from the first clear attacking combination between the two players, with Watkins supplying the delivery for his team-mate to finish.

Watkins’ goal, meanwhile, came after Al Hilal had regained control of the match following Pereira’s failed attempt to bring Neves’ cross under control.