Martinelli and Watkins seize top scorer spot at Al Hilal after Al-Ittihad errors

Gabriel Martinelli and Ollie Watkins both scored as Al Hilal’s English and Brazilian forwards moved level with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic at the top of the club’s scoring charts in the Roshn Saudi League.

Al Hilal hosted Al-Ittihad at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on Saturday in the eighth round of the competition, with Milinkovic-Savic missing the match through injury.

Martinelli opened the scoring in the 11th minute. The Brazilian winger met a low cross from Watkins and directed it past Al-Ittihad goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.

Watkins then doubled Al Hilal’s advantage in the 30th minute after taking advantage of an unusual mistake from Al-Ittihad defender Danilo Pereira.

Ruben Neves sent a cross into the area, but Pereira was unable to control the ball. Watkins reacted first, stole possession and finished into the net.

The goals took Martinelli and Watkins to four each in the Roshn Saudi League this season, matching the total of fellow Al Hilal forward Milinkovic-Savic.

Both players had also made a major contribution in Al Hilal’s previous match against Al-Taawoun. Martinelli scored a hat-trick in that game, while Watkins scored twice and provided two assists.

Martinelli’s goal against Al-Ittihad came from Watkins’ delivery, before the former Aston Villa striker added a goal of his own to continue the pair’s strong run of form.