Ah-Ahli bounced back strongly from a bruising defeat to Al-Shabab last time out to pick up a dominant 4-1 win over Al-Kholood on Saturday.
Feras Al Brikan broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half after Gabri Veiga saw an excellent effort denied by the woodwork early on.
Myziane Maolida also struck the post for Al-Kholood in the first half, though the visitors struggled to impose themselves as Al-Ahli took control.
Al-Kholood were then fortunate to draw level courtesy of an own goal from Matteo Dams on the hour mark, but Riyad Mahrez restored the lead within just six minutes, clinically slotting past Marcelo Grohe.
Sumayhan Al Nabit extended Al-Ahli’s advantage in the 77th minute after Merih Demiral’s set up.
And Al Nabit was once again the catalyst, drawing a foul inside the box by William Troost-Ekong to win his side a penalty.
Ivan Toney coolly slotted home from 12 yards out in the 86th minute, sealing a largely comfortable win for the hosts.
Gabri Veiga saw another good chance go begging in the dying minutes, while Toney failed to hit the target from close range in stoppage-time.
FT
Al-Ahli 4 : 1 Al-Kholood #الأهلي_الخلود #RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/gmi1BEYbum
— Al-Ahli Saudi Club (@ALAHLI_FCEN) May 17, 2025
Owing to the number of excellent chances created, the hosts comfortably led the expected goals (xG) race with 3.38 xG, well ahead of Al-Kholood’s 0.76 xG.
Having won the AFC Champions League earlier this month, Al-Ahli are riding high and Saturday’s victory kept them in fifth place with 64 points, level with Al-Nassr.
Al-Kholood, meanwhile, are 13th in the Saudi Pro League standings, four points adrift from the drop zone with two matches remaining.
Data debrief: Al-Ahli extend their dominant streak
Saturday’s match was only the second-ever Saudi Pro League encounter between Al-Ahli and Al-Kholood, with the latter having won the first meeting.
However, Al-Ahli quickly set the record straight, continuing their dominance over newly promoted teams with a commanding victory.
They are now unbeaten in their last 37 home matches against freshly promoted sides (W28 D9), including seven straight wins, the first time they had done so against such teams.
Toney, meanwhile, is enjoying a stellar season. The Englishman has now contributed to 25 goals for Al-Ahli this season (21 goals, four assists).
The last Al-Ahli players to have as many or more goal contributions in a single season were Djaniny (26) and Omar Al-Somah (25), both in the 2018-19 season.
