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Zamalek moved up to second place in the Egyptian Premier League with their biggest win of the season on Wednesday, beating Kahrabaa Ismailia 5-2 at the Suez Stadium.

The victory was Zamalek’s third in a row for the first time this season and came in the league’s highest-scoring match so far, with both sides punished for a series of defensive errors, particularly the hosts.

The White Knights now have 28 points, level with Pyramids FC, who lost 2-1 to Smouha earlier on Wednesday.

Both sides are four points behind leaders Ceramica Cleopatra, who have played one game more.

Zamalek were forced to field a depleted squad after two late absences.

Angolan winger Chico Banza was ruled out hours before kickoff with a cold, while Brazilian winger Juan Alvina was injured during the warm-up and withdrawn shortly before the match.

A poor clearance from the Kahrabaa Ismailia goalkeeper fell to Zamalek midfielder Mohamed Ismail, who released Ahmed Sherif to open the scoring in the 38th minute.

Four minutes later, Palestinian striker Oday El Dabbagh doubled the lead, following up on a rebound to score into an empty net.

Kahrabaa Ismailia pulled one back just before halftime when Eritrean striker Aly Soliman capitalized on a mistake by Zamalek defender El-Sayed Ossama.

Seven minutes into the second half, Sherif struck again, pouncing on another rebound to make it 3-1.

Three minutes after the hour mark, substitute Omar El-Saed headed in Kahrabaa Ismailia’s second goal, but defensive lapses proved costly as Nasser Mansi restored Zamalek’s two-goal cushion to make it 4-2.

El Dabbagh sealed the win with a fine finish from a tight angle, scoring his seventh league goal to move clear at the top of the scoring charts.

Mansi later had what would have been his second goal of the match ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

Zamalek next host Smouha on Thursday 12 February.

Source: Al-Ahram Online