Petrojet made the most of Zamalek's defensive woes to beat them 4-2 in an action-packed Egyptian Premier League game in Suez to go eight points clear of the Cairo giants in Group B.

Zamalek were hoping to narrow the gap on the group leaders but they were totally outplayed by a vibrant Petrojet side who were in control for most of the game, which witnessed three penalties, to complete the double over their illustrious opponents.

The visitors took a 25th-minute lead through Mauritanian striker Dominique Da Silva but Mostafa Shebeita brought Petrojet level with a powerful header.

Ahmed Magdy put Petrojet in front in the 72nd minute after converting a penalty and Marwan Mohsen made it 3-1 from another spot-kick.

It was Zamalek's turn to score from a penalty as substitute Mohamed Ibrahim narrowed the gap with six minutes remaining but James Owoboskini killed off their hopes with a stoppage-time goal.

Petrojet have 33 points from 17 matches, eight clear of third-placed Zamalek who have two matches in hand. Fourth-placed Ismaily will move second if they beat Wadi Degla later in the day.

The top two in each group will advance to the final mini-league phase to determine the winner.

Defence collapse

Petrojet had the better of the early exchanges, wasting a couple of goal-scoring opportunities in the first quarter of an hour. Mohamed Ragab had a fierce drive denied by the post before being thwarted by keeper Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed following a one-on-one situation.

Ragab had to be replaced a few minutes later after picking up an injury and Zamalek scored against the run of play after 25 minutes when a cross from winger Hazem Emam eluded the keeper and found Moemen Zakareya, who failed to control it as the onrushing Dominique pounced on the loose ball to fire home into an empty net.

Petrojet squandered a flurry of chances as Zamalek's backline collapsed, with the two defensive midfielders unable to close down spaces and the central defensive pair chasing shadows.

The hosts deservedly equalised in the 36th minute when Shebeita powerfully headed home following a corner and they were unlucky not to go to the locker room 2-1 up, having been denied by a string of impressive saves from Zamalek keeper Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed.

Nigerian striker Owoboskini, who replaced Ragab, caused constant menace to Zamalek's fragile defence, repeatedly exposing their frailties with his pace. He almost scored the second on the stroke of halftime but headed over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

After the break, Petrojet continued from where they left off in the first half, putting Zamalek on the back foot.

Magdy converted a penalty on 72 minutes after the lively Owoboskini was felled by El-Sayed in one of the neat counter attacks and striker Marwan Mohsen fired into the top corner from another spot kick six minutes later to make it 3-1.

Zamalek were revitalized by the introduction of playmaker Mohamed Ibrahim, who missed the previous four matches through suspension, and they were given a lifeline when he sent the keeper the wrong way from another penalty six minutes from time.

However, Owoboskini put the result beyond doubt after he outmuscled right-back Ahmed Samir to latch onto a long ball and slot home with aplomb.

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