Magdi Afsha celebrates one of his two goals against Future FC (Photo: Ahram)
The Red Devils, who lost to Smouha and drew with Gouna in their previous two matches, were under pressure to deliver after leaders and main challengers Zamalek defeated Arab Contractors 1-0 earlier in the day.
They turned on style to give new coach Ricardo Soares his first league win after he replaced South African boss Pitso Mosimane little less than two weeks ago.
A brace from Magdi Afsha and a penalty from Ali Maaloul gave Ahly a 3-0 first-half lead before substitute Ahmed Abdel-Kader completed the rout on 59 minutes.
Ahly, who also wasted several clear-cut chances in a one-sided affair, are third in the table on 48 points from 22 matches, two behind second-placed Pyramids FC, who played two games more.
Should Ahly win their two matches in hand, they will go level with leaders Zamalek in what is likely to be an exciting two-horse race for the title.
Future FC, who won their maiden title when they thrashed Ghazl El-Mahalla 5-1 in the final of the inaugural League Cup last week, remain fourth on 39 points.
Relentless pressing
Although Ahly lost two players to injury early on, winger Taher Mohamed Taher and right-back Mohamed Hani, they still put their opponents on the back foot with some relentless pressing and ruthless attack.
Afsha curled just wide after two minutes and Salah Mohsen was foiled by a timely interception from Future goalkeeper Mahmoud Gennesh seven minutes later as Ahly laid siege to the visitors' area from the very beginning.
The pressure paid off on 23 minutes when Afsha swept home a loose ball from inside the area after a header from Mohsen struck the upright and fell to him.
Future's only first-half chance saw Maaloul superbly clear a goal-bound header off the line after a mistake from keeper Mohamed El-Shennawi but Ahly quickly re-asserted their dominance.
Abdel-Kader, who replaced Taher, went close with a superb piece of individual skill as he turned Cameroonian left-back Joseph Ngwem inside out on the edge of the area and drilled a low shot against the post.
Ahly deservedly went 2-0 up on 41 minutes when Maaloul sent Gennesh the wrong way from the spot after striker Hossam Hassan was felled by Ngwem following a fine threaded pass from Afsha.
The lively playmaker killed off Future's hopes when he netted his second of the night just before half-time, volleying home a first-timer from inside the area after a flick from Hassan put the ball on a plate for him to score.
The early stages of the second half were no different, with Ahly in total control.
Amr El-Sulaya shot wide after breaking clear but he made amends to set up Abdel-Kader for the fourth goal.
Saad Samir, an ex-Ahly defender, gave away possession on the edge of his own area and Afsha pounced on the loose ball to feed El-Sulaya, whose square pass found Abdel-Kader for a composed finish.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Short link: