Allan Saint-Maximin scored the winning goal for Al-Ahli as the Frenchman’s first goal was enough for the three points as the Saudi side remain third in the Pro League.
Saint-Maximin has had a tough start to life in the Middle East but scored his first goal for the club and it was a stunning effort from the edge of the box.
Al-Ahli signed the forward form £35 million from Newcastle United and the hope is that the Frenchman could well be the signing to propel them up the table and potentially into a title challenge.
It won’t be easy for Matthias Jaissle’s side who have to compete with an Al-Nassr side with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane and an Al-Hilal side who signed Aleksandar Mitrovic and also Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain.
Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez both started for the Saudi club in the victory, alongside Newcastle star Saint-Maximin.
Al-Ahli took an early lead to make it 2-0, though the gap was closed swiftly, thanks to goals from Joao Pedro Pereira dos Santos and Musa Barrow.
Can the Saudi side win the league title
Al-Ahli, who only came into the division a couple of seasons ago, could be set to upset the apple cart and try and compete for the Pro League title.
The front three at the Saudi side’s disposal is certainly one that can cause problems to any defence in the league and it seems the front three, who were lining up against each other week in and week out, have seemingly developed a good bond so far.
It is clear one of Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr would need to drop out of the title picture before Al-Ahli could compete in the title race.