Ronaldo instrumental as Al-Nassr grind out win over Al-Taawoun in Saudi Pro League

RIYADH: Last week Cristiano Ronaldo scored all four as Al-Nassr thrashed Al-Wedha, and on Friday he turned provider, setting up both goals to give his new team a hard-fought 2-1 win over Al-Taawoun and their place back on top of the Roshn Saudi League.

The result means that three teams are now level on four points at the summit in what is turning into one of the closest and most exciting title races anywhere, though there is still a long way to go.

In an entertaining clash that could have gone either way, Al-Nassr will be relieved to defeat the only team they have lost to this season and it was a crucial victory. Earlier in the week, Al-Shabab defeated Abha 2-0 and Al-Ittihad won 3-0 at Ettifaq to move back above Al-Nassr.

It meant that the pressure was on the Yellows against Al-Taawoun, who have been having a fine season under Pericles Chamusca. Had the Buraidah outfit won, they would have gone fourth above Al-Hilal, who have been busy at the FIFA Club World Cup and are now preparing for the resumption of the Asian Champions League on Monday.

Ronaldo has domestic matters on his mind at the moment, and the former Real Madrid and Manchester United man has been full of smiles in Saudi Arabia, especially since scoring five goals in the previous two games for the club he joined in December. He looked to be in the mood from the off, and early in the game the 38-year-old was twisting and turning just outside the area before unleashing a fierce shot that went just high and wide.

After a tight opening, Al-Nassr took the lead after 18 minutes. Ronaldo collected the ball just inside the halfway line and released a delightful first-time pass that dissected the Al-Taawoun defense to leave Abdulrahman Ghareeb free. He still had