Zamalek snapped a three-match winless run after crushing struggling side Wadi Degla 3-0 in their first match at Cairo Stadium in almost three years on Sunday.

The White Knights, whose title credentials were called into question after two draws and an embarrassing 3-0 defeat by Smouha, failed to break down Degla in the first half but came out with all guns blazing in the second period.

Central defender Mahmoud Alaa headed home seven minutes after the break to open the scoring, midfielder Mohamed Ashraf added the second from a penalty and substitute Maarouf Yussuf completed the rout in stoppage time.

The win will ease pressure on Montenegrin coach Nebojsa Jovovic, who is trying to turn around the fortunes of a side that finished last season empty handed.

Zamalek moved to the fifth spot with 12 points from seven matches, four behind leaders Ismaily who have a game in hand. Degla are fourth from bottom on five points, with coach Mido's job under scrutiny.

Zamalek's Congolese forward Kabongo Kasongo, who has scored only one goal since his summer arrival, spearheaded their attack at the expense of the off-form Bassem Morsi but struggled to make an impact.

The Cairo giants, who were permitted to play at their traditional Cairo Stadium, looked unconvincing in the first half, with their talented wingers Abdallah Gomaa and Ahmed Madbouli struggling to penetrate Wadi Degla's massed ranks.

However, they still wasted a couple of chances, with central defender Ali Gabr heading over the bar from a corner and central midfielder Ahmed Dawouda, who was restored to the starting line-up, firing just wide from inside the area after superbly controlling a long ball.

They needed a set-piece go ahead, with Alaa rising unmarked at the far post to head home following a corner from Mohamed Ashraf in the 51^st minute.

Eight minutes later, Madbouli was tripped in the area and Ashraf turned from provider to scorer by blasting the resulting penalty into the corner of the net to double Zamalek's advantage.

Zamalek then survived a barrage of attacks as Degla piled on pressure in the latter stages.

The closest Degla came to scoring was in the 72^nd minute when Mohamed Sherif hit the side netting with the goal at his mercy after Zamalek keeper Mahmoud Gennesh, who replaced regular shot-stopper Ahmed El-Shennawi after he was injured, could only push a tame free kick into his path.

Yussuf added a third for Zamalek in stoppage time though, slotting home from inside the area after a pull-back from lively right-back Hazem Emam.

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