Are you watching Nuno? Karim Benzema scores a hat-trick to assist Al-Ittihad get again to successful methods… Simply days after the bust-up that noticed the previous Spurs boss sacked

Karim Benzema netted a hat-trick for Al-Ittihad simply days after a supposed bust-up with Nuno Espirito Santo noticed the previous Spurs boss sacked as supervisor.

The ex-Actual Madrid striker opened the scoring from the penalty spot on Friday earlier than including two additional targets within the second half to assist his facet to a 4-2 win in opposition to Abha. 

Al-Ittihad’s victory ends a five-match winless streak within the league that contributed to the autumn out between Benzema and Nuno.

Following a midweek defeat to Iraqi facet Al-Quwa Al-Juwiya within the AFC Asian Champions League, the pair reportedly had a heated trade within the dressing room.

Nuno, who gained the Saudi Professional League title earlier this 12 months, was dismissed simply two days after the loss.

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He was solely capable of information the crew to 2 wins in 9 video games throughout all competitions in his ultimate weeks in cost. 

Al-Ittihad signed N’Golo Kante and Fabinho alongside Benzema in the summertime and they’re at present effectively off the tempo within the chase for the league title. 

Their poor latest kind has seen them fall 11 factors behind league leaders Al-Hilal.

Nevertheless, they did have one thing to smile about on Friday, as Benzema led them to victory in opposition to mid-table Abha. 

The 35-year-old gave his facet the lead within the thirty eighth minute as he confidently guided a penalty past former Fiorentina and AC Milan goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu within the Abha objective.

One-time Lyon striker Karl Toko Ekambi drew Abha degree 5 minutes into the second half however Al-Ittihad hit again shortly by Brazilian Igor Coronado. 

Benzema then put his facet into an unassailable lead, cooly slotting house after being performed in on objective earlier than tapping in an unselfish cross from Coronado. 

The hat-trick moved the French striker as much as joint-third within the standings for prime scorer, with solely Cristiano Ronaldo and Aleksandr Mitrovic having discovered the web greater than him.

Fahad Bin Jumayah pulled one again late on for Abha nevertheless it was not sufficient to forestall Benzema grabbing the headlines for the second time this week.