Aleppo, June 15 (SANA)Al-Ahli Aleppo returned to the top of theSyrian Premier Leaguestandings after edging city rivalAl-Hurriya1-0 in theShahbaa Derbyon Sunday in Matchday 11 of the second half of the season.

Cameroonian striker Emmanuel Mahop proved the difference, scoring the match’s only goal in the 60th minute to handAl-Ahlia crucial victory in one of Aleppo’s most anticipated football fixtures.

The hosts controlled much of the contest and were rewarded midway through the second half when Mahop, the club’s leading scorer, found the net to secure three valuable points and restore Al-Ahli’s place at the summit of the league table.

With the win, Al-Ahli increased its tally to 63 points, moving three points clear of second-placed Homs Al-Fidaa, while Al-Hurriya remained ninth with 31 points.

Elsewhere in the round, Homs Al-Fidaa kept pace with a 2-0 victory over Hutteen, while Al-Wahda claimed a narrow 1-0 win against Al-Taliya.

The result strengthens Al-Ahli’s title credentials as the race for the Syrian Premier League crown enters its decisive stages.