The ex-PSG star missed from the spot in the first half against Al-Shabab, but put in a virtuoso performance thereafter to seal victory
With the Saudi Pro League season now in full swing, the latest round of matches produced yet more drama as the title race begins to take shape in the Middle East. After eight matches, it is Al-Hilal who sit top of the pile after Neymar inspired them to victory over Al-Shabab on Friday.
That win saw them leapfrog defending champions Al-Ittihad, who were held to a goalless draw by Al-Feiha, while Cristiano Ronaldo's late penalty ensured Al-Nassr stretched their winning run to six league games and climbed into the top four for the first time this season.
Alas, what was tipped as the game of the weekend failed to live up to expectations, as Al-Ahli drew 0-0 with Al-Ettifaq. Steven Gerrard's side will be the happier of the two teams, however, with Ahli continuing to slide down the table having won just one of their last four league games.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from the latest round of Saudi Pro League action…
Getty ImagesWINNER: Neymar
Having made a slow start to life in his new surroundings, it seemed like it was going to be more of the same for Neymar when he missed a first-half penalty against Al-Shabab on Friday.
The Brazilian superstar, however, ensured that he went from villain to hero after the break as he put in a virtuoso performance to carry Al-Hilal back to the top of the table. He provided the assist for Kalidou Koulibaly to open the scoring and was at the heart at every dangerous attack that Hilal produced.
If Neymar can maintain this level of performance and remain injury-free, then Saudi Arabia's most successful club could very well secure themselves another league title.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Nuno Espirito Santo
After a difficult week, the pressure is beginning to pile on Al-Ittihad manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Having required a penalty shootout to beat second-division side Al-Kholood in the King's Cup in midweek, the defending champions were then held to a goalless draw by Al-Feiha on Friday.
Those dropped points meant Ittihad slipped from the top of the table, with Nuno's side looking toothless in attack without the injured Karim Benzema. Despite the absence of the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, Nuno still has plenty of options to pick from, but he is struggling to get a tune out of his team right now.
Their next two league matches could well decide the ex-Tottenham manager's fate, as they first take on sixth-placed Al-Ahli before facing the season's surprise package, third-placed Al-Taawoun after the international break.
WINNER: Jorge Jesus
Ahead of Al-Hilal's clash with Al-Shabab, reports in the media had surfaced that suggested there was a growing tension between the club's players – particularly those brought in during the summer transer window – and manager Jorge Jesus.
Those rumours have now been put to bed, however, after a video emerged of the Hilal squad chanting for the Portuguese coach as he entered the dressing room following his side's 2-0 win on Friday.
The victory will undoubtedly ease some of the pressure that was building on Jesus, especially since it lifted his side back to the top of the table.
Getty ImagesLOSER: Al-Shabab
During the early weeks of the season, Ever Banega's wife, Valeria Juan, hit out at Al-Shabab fans who had been criticising her husband for his performances, claiming that if the Argentina midfielder wasn't supported, then the team won't be able to deliver.
It seems that she was right, with Friday's loss to Al-Hilal keeping a team who many expected to at least challenge for the title in the bottom half of the table. Shabab have won just two of their eight league matches so far, and Banega has struggled to influence games despite his undoubted ability.
Fingers are currently being pointed at summer acquisition Habib Diallo, who is yet to find the net despite being signed for €18 million (£15.5m/$19m) after scoring 20 goals in Ligue 1 for Strasbourg last season.