Franck Kessie scored a fine goal to ensure Al-Ahli beat Al-Ittihad 1-0 in the Jeddah derby on Friday in the Saudi Pro League.
The former Barcelona star scored a left-footed volley from inside the box in the first half to give his side the win and blow the top of the league table wide open, with Al-Ittihad missing out on the chance to go top.
Karim Benzema returned to a starting line-up for Al-Ittihad that also included Fabinho and N’Golo Kante while the winning side included Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez.
The narrow victory means Al-Ahli keep tabs on the leaders at the top of the table, with Al-Taawoun currently topping the pile in the division.
Al-Ittihad are fourth, three points off top, following Friday night’s two games.
In the other match on the night Cristiano Ronaldo had a quiet game with Al-Nassr throwing away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with lowly Abha.
The former Manchester United forward cut a frustrated look as his side threw away a three points that seemed there for the taking when Otavio and Talisca had put the hosts 2-0 up within half an hour.
But Abha, who moved out of the relegation zone with the point, struck back firstly through a Saad Bguir penalty and then an impressive Karl Toko Ekambi stoppage time strike.
Sultan Al-Ghannam was sent off after the equaliser, with Sadio Mane, Aymeric Laporte and Alex Telles also all featuring for Al-Nassr.
