Al Hilal Climb to Summit of Saudi Pro League as Simone Inzaghi Downplays Benzema Rumours

Al Hilal powered to the top of the Saudi Pro League table courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 away win against Al Fayha. Simone Inzaghi's side maintained their perfect start to the new campaign, building on their opening-day victory over Al Faisaly and their King's Cup success against Al Raed.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic opened the scoring just past the half-hour mark when he smashed home a rebound after summer signing Crysencio Summerville saw his initial shot parried by Orlando Mosquera in the Fayha goal. Sultan Mandash doubled Hilal's lead immediately after half-time, turning inside his defender to slot beyond Mosquera at his near post from a sumptuous ball played by Kalidou Koulibaly.

Summerville, a £60 million summer signing from West Ham United, then missed a chance to open his Hilal account from the penalty spot after substitute Theo Hernandez was upended in the box, with his clipped effort hitting the woodwork.

Milinkovic-Savic also contributed to Hilal's third goal, cutting the ball back from the byline for Nasser Al Dawsari to score in the 88th minute. The victory maintained Inzaghi's impressive record of just one defeat in 55 matches since taking over.

Addressing rumours of a rift with Karim Benzema, Inzaghi stated that the Frenchman is a good player who will serve the team. Regarding potential transfers and links to Ollie Watkins, the manager noted that the club's sporting management handles the transfer market.