Al Hilal reclaim Saudi league summit as Ollie Watkins scores first goal

Al Hilal returned to the top of the Saudi league with a 3-0 victory over Al Ahli in a delayed clasico from the third round.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic gave Al Hilal an early lead before Crysencio Summerville doubled their advantage in the first half. Ollie Watkins, the England international who joined from Aston Villa, completed the scoring with a late header to register his first goal for the club.

The result moved Al Hilal above Al Nassr on goal difference, with the three goals scored against Al Ahli proving decisive in the battle for first place.

Al Hilal had not occupied the summit since the 22nd round of last season. Their win also ended Al Nassr’s run of 16 consecutive rounds at the top of the table.

Milinkovic-Savic opened the scoring in the ninth minute, finishing the match’s first goal with Al Hilal in control of the contest from the early stages.

Summerville extended the lead in the 23rd minute, leaving Al Ahli with a difficult task before half-time. Their situation worsened when Turkey defender Merih Demiral was shown a red card before the interval.

Al Ahli were reduced to 10 men for the remainder of the game, but the match also included a notable injury concern involving Al Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

The Senegal international suffered bleeding while attempting to clear the ball away from France midfielder Valentin Atangana. Koulibaly received treatment before returning to the field and completing the match.

Watkins took part in the game after arriving from Aston Villa and put the outcome beyond doubt four minutes before the end of normal time. The England forward met the ball with a header in the 86th minute to score Al Hilal’s third goal and seal a comprehensive victory.

The 3-0 scoreline was enough to restore Al Hilal to first place, with the side moving ahead of Al Nassr by virtue of the three-goal margin recorded against Al Ahli.

The delayed fixture had therefore significant consequences at the top of the Saudi league. Al Hilal’s return to the summit marked their first time leading the table since round 22 of the previous season, while Al Nassr’s 16-round stay in first place came to an end.