Ismaily hammered Ittihad El-Shorta 4-1 Thursday at home to move within four points of co-leaders Ahly and Zamalek.

Nigerian striker Ndubuisi Godwin gave the hosts an early lead in the 11th minute as Abdallah El-Said’s blocked shot was laid into his path in front of an empty net.

Hosni Abd-Rabou, however, stole the show with a virtuoso second-half display that left El-Shorta’s defence — the strongest of the Egyptian Premier League — trailing in his wake.

He doubled the lead in the 55th minute as his free-kick hit over an opposing defender and tricked the keeper to reach the back of the net.

Two minutes later he fired an amazing 35-yard ball that went directly to the left-bottom side of the keeper and goal.

Salah Ashour pulled one back for the visitors in the 61st minute, but Abd-Rabou killed any hopes of a comeback with another trademark free-kick in the 68th minute.

The other big story of the day was in the relegation battle. In Alexandria, Egypt U-20 striker with Arab Contractors Mohamed Salah netted twice inside the opening 19 minutes (17th minute and 19th minute) to sink Smouha 2-0 to earn three precious points and move away from the danger zone with 22 points.

Wadi Degla came from a goal down to beat Gouna 3-1 at home. In the 53rd minute, Ashour El-Taqi cancelled Sherif Ashraf’s early lead in the 12th minute. Mostafa Shebeta put his side ahead in the 62nd minute and El-Taqi doubled his tally of goals in the dying seconds to secure the full points of the game.