On Monday, Al-Hilal defeated Al-Orobah 4-0 to keep their slim Saudi Pro League title hopes alive. The reigning champions are now six points behind league leaders Al-Ittihad, with just three games remaining.

Following the Jeddah giants' comfortable 3-0 home win against Al-Fayha on Sunday, the pressure was on their Riyadh rivals, who were also playing at home. Interim coach Mohammed Al-Shalhoub, who took over this month following Jorge Jesus' departure, knew that only a win would suffice against the relegation battlers.

As expected, Al-Hilal attacked from the outset, but the visitors defended deep and in numbers. Hamad Al-Yami almost put the home side ahead at the midway point of the first half. After running onto the ball on the right, he was picked out by a fine floated pass from Ruben Neves, but the full-back, stretching at close range, could not get enough power behind his shot.

However, the home fans, who had failed to turn up in large numbers, did not have to wait much longer before the deadlock was broken. Salem Al-Dawsari has been in fine form in front of goal recently, but just before the half-hour mark, he provided a perfect cross from the left side of the penalty area for Aleksandar Mitrović, who was unmarked at the edge of the six-yard box and steered it home. Just before half-time, the goalscorer went down in the box under a challenge, but the referee waved play on.

The attacks continued after the restart, and Al-Orobah's task became more difficult within two minutes when Ibrahim Al-Zubaidi was sent off for a reckless challenge on Malcom.

At the hour mark, Mohammed Kanno's fierce shot from outside the box forced Gaetan Coucke to make a difficult save. Despite their lead and numerical advantage, there was always a chance that the visitors might score a goal that would all but hand the trophy to Al-Ittihad.

However, Al-Hilal effectively sealed the win in the 65^(th) minute thanks to Al-Dawsari, who scored a typically classy goal. Cutting in from the left, he exchanged swift passes with Sergej Milinković-Savić as he moved into the area, before lifting a perfect chip over the advancing goalkeeper.

Two late goals added to the emphatic nature of the victory: Kaio Cesar scored a penalty in the 90^(th) minute and then scored again two minutes later.

While the title still seems likely to go to Jeddah, Al-Hilal are showing that they will not be handing it over without a fight.