File Photo: Zamalek's striker Bassem Morsi celebrates after scoring against Ragaa in round 1 (Photo: Ahram)
Zamalek reached their 60th point of the league after a 2-0 win against lowly Ragaa on Sunday to edge closer to their first league title in 11 years.
In-form striker Bassem Morsi opened the scoring in the 16th minute then rising winger Mostafa Fathi secured the full points of the game in the 75th minute.
The Whites bounced back to the top of the table, three points above ENPPI and two games in hand, while eight-time defending champions Ahly are third with 49 points.
Returning from a crucial victory against Morocco's FUS Rabat 3-2 that took them to round 16 playoff of the African Confederation Cup, Zamalek seemed struggling to reproduce their form allowing the visitors to gain more possession in midfield.
But that didn't last long as they overcame their slow start to shock their rivals with a goal from Morsi in their first real threat on goal in the 16th minute.
The lively striker beat the offside trap to reach a through ball in the area, cleverly chipping the ball over the keeper to net his ninth goal of the season.
Rising forward Mostafa Fathi could have doubled the lead after skipping past two defenders but his shot was rejected by the post 8 minutes later.
Ragaa regained their composure and managed to push forward in an attempt to level the score line before the break.
They came close twice to scoring when Mohamed Magdy's rocketing ball crashed off the bar, then winger Ali Bahig brilliantly brushed off the last defender but blasted the ball wide with a poor left-footed effort from close range.
After the interval, the visitors picked up right where they left off, trying to grab what it seemed to be a deserved goal.
However, Zamalek seemed now more cautious at the back, closing down spaces in their danger zone.
In an attempt to bolster his team, Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira brought in Ayman Hefni and Ahmed Tawfik to secure the upper hand in the midfield battle.
Hefni proved him right providing the fluidity and flow the team needed though his accurate passes, especially with Ragaa players moving up in the field.
Fathi finally was rewarded for his abundant effort during the game as a Ragaa defender's blunder ended the ball under his feet to score from close range in the 75th minute with the goal at his mercy.
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