Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq lose 2-0 against Al-Hilal as Jordan Henderson fails to inspire visitors to comeback win against strong home side
Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq lose 2-0 to Al-Hilal as Jordan Henderson fails to inspire visitors to a comeback win against the strong home side
- Al-Hilal secured a dominant victory over Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq on Monday
- Gerrard’s side are now winless in their last two games after a 2-0 defeat
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Steven Gerrard lost his first game under Al-Ettifaq’s management after being defeated 2-0 in Riyadh by a strong team from Al-Hilal.
The visitors, led by Jordan Henderson, were unable to fight their way back into the game after first-half goals from Malcom and Salem Aldawsari.
The win moves Al-Hilal within two points of Saudi Pro League leader Al-Ittihad, while Al-Ettifaq remains fifth with just seven points from four games.
Gerrard is now winless in his last two games as leader of one of Saudi Arabia’s biggest clubs amid a rocky start to managerial life in the Middle East.
The hosts gave a first home start to former Fulham striker Aleksandr Mitrovic after he scored on his debut with a trademark move following his £50 million move, but are still waiting to give Neymar his first appearance as the Brazilian recovers from injury.
Brazilian striker Malcom opened the scoring for Al-Hilal with an impressive attack in the first half
Steven Gerrard is now winless in his last two matches as manager of Al-Ettifaq after suffering his first defeat on Monday
Meanwhile, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was suspended after being sent off in their 4-0 away win over Al-Raed, but was further bolstered by ex-Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly and former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves.
Henderson led Al-Ettifaq in his first away game after recovering from a short illness, but struggled early on as Al-Hilal struck twice in the first half.
Brazilian striker Malcom put the hosts ahead in the 24th minute, after being played through by Mitrovic after a neat build-up.
A strong Al-Hilal side with former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves (left) dominated the course
The 26-year-old picked up a through ball and finished with a powerful blow over the goal into the bottom corner.
Things took a turn for the worse for Gerrard’s side as Aldawsari doubled the hosts’ lead with a brilliant strike just four minutes from the break.
A bouncing ball bounced around the penalty area before falling on the 32-year-old, who shot past the goalkeeper with a scissor kick
The visitors tried to respond with late substitutions, but lacked power in the final third as goalkeeper Paulo Victor got into trouble.