Espérance de Tunis delivered a dominant performance to secure a 3-0 victory over Etoile du Sahel in a crucial Tunisian Ligue 1 clash at the Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Rades on Wednesday afternoon.
The win, part of round 22 of Tunisian the league, strengthened Espérance’s position at the top of the table with 48 points, three ahead of second-placed Etoile, who remain on 45 points.
Both teams began the match with an aggressive attacking approach, eager to break the deadlock.
Etoile came close in the third minute when Fadi Ben Choug fired a shot narrowly wide from close range.
However, Espérance capitalized on an error from the visitors in the 13th minute when Ashraf Jebri won a penalty following a mistake by the goalkeeper.
Algerian forward Youcef Belaïli stepped up and converted the spot-kick to give the home side the lead.
Espérance continued to dictate play and doubled their advantage in the 29th minute through Hamza Jelassi. They further extended their dominance early in the second half, with Raed Bouchniba scoring a well-taken goal in the 48th minute.
Etoile had a chance to pull one back in the 55th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Raki Alouani was fouled. However, Firas Chaouat’s effort struck the post, wasting a golden opportunity.
Espérance controlled the tempo for the rest of the match, preventing Etoile from staging a comeback. Alouani had another chance in the 71st minute but sent his shot over the crossbar. The hosts comfortably saw out the game, securing a valuable three points in their quest for the league title.
Meanwhile, in another Round 22 fixture, US Métlaoui edged Stade Gabèsien 2-1. Moehib Salmi gave Gabès the lead in the 33rd minute, but Nassim Chachia equalized for Métlaoui before Naby Sylla sealed the win in the 64th minute.
The victory moved Métlaoui to seventh place with 31 points, while Gabès remain 13th with 18 points.
