Adnoc Pro League wrap: Alcacer-inspired Sharjah back on top, Bataglia on fire for Baniyas

The Adnoc Pro League produced a shock win for Ajman against Al Jazira, while newly-crowned President's Cup champions Sharjah edged out promoted Al Bataeh to regain top spot in the table from Al Wasl, who were held to a draw by Kalba. Here are the highlights from Round 7.

Fresh from ending their 19-year wait for a ninth President's Cup title, Sharjah returned to league duty with a narrow 1-0 away victory over Al Bataeh on Tuesday. Combined with Al Wasl's 2-2 draw with Kalba on Sunday, it was enough to send Sharjah back to the top of the table by one point ahead of Wasl.

Spanish forward Paco Alcacer, who scored the winner against Al Wahda in the President’s Cup final with a stunning long-range free-kick, was the difference-maker once again, breaking the deadlock 12 minutes into the second half.

Matchweek 7 kicked off on Saturday with victories for champions Al Ain over Al Nasr, Shabab Al Ahli at Khor Fakkan, and Baniyas away to Dibba.

After Andriy Yarmolenko had put Al Ain ahead in the fifth minute and Ryan Mendes struck the equaliser for Al Nasr three minutes into the second half, Kodjo Laba scored twice late in the second half as the champions claimed a 3-1 win to sit third in the table.

The double from Laba, last season's top-scorer, moved the Togolese striker on to nine goals for the campaign, level at the top of the charts with Al Jazira's Ali Mabkhout.

Mohammed Juma Eid scored a second-half winner for Shabab Al Ahli to return with full points from Khor Fakkan as the Dubai club, in fifth, stayed level on points with Al Ain and Al Wahda, while Rafael Bataglia fired a hat-trick in Baniyas’ 4-1 win at Dibba for their second victory of the season.

The shock results came on Sunday when Ajman defeated Al Jazira 1-0 at the