Two-goal Malcom has Al Hilal back on track, and homing in on 'great' Al Ahli display | OneFootball

Ship navigated back on course, Malcom focused then on turning the tide in the Roshn Saudi League title race, too.

Al Hilal defeated Al Kholood 5-1 on Tuesday night, three days after losing heavily themselves to championship challengers Al Ittihad in the season’s second Saudi Clasico.

But, on Tuesday, Al Hilal displayed a champions’ resolve. As was so often the case during last term’s record-breaking title success, Malcom was again a key contributor. The Brazilian scored twice at Kingdom Arena, the first arriving three minutes in to set the tone.

A minute later, Salem Al Dawsari had doubled the hosts' advantage. On 20 minutes, Malcom got his second and Al Hilal’s third. Before the half hour, Marcos Leonardo had added a fourth.

By the end, Al Hilal were back to winning ways, the gap from their spot in second to Al Ittihad at the top reduced to four points. By the conclusion of Matchweek 22, and after the frontrunners were pegged back in stoppage-time to draw at Al Khaleej, that read five points.

Suddenly, Al Hilal’s mood felt a little lighter.

“We are all good,” said Malcom having just moved to seven RSL goals this campaign. “The most important is to keep adding points. And hoping that our rivals lose some points.

“We have to do our job. When we play home, it’s unbelievable, our fans are always with us. The most important is the win today.”

The next stop on what Al Hilal hope will be the path to full redemption - and the top-flight trophy - comes on Friday, in Matchweek 23’s marquee fixture.

At the Kingdom Arena once more, Jorge Jesus' side host a fifth-placed Al Ahli who have won three on the bounce, including Tuesday's 4-1 victory at home to third-placed Al Qadsiah.

Malcom, though, recognises what’s required. Al Hilal are champions, after all.

“When we play for Hilal, we always want to win,” he said. “We step into the pitch to win, no matter the opponent we are playing against. The next game is in three days already - it’s very quick.

“Now we have to rest, to recover, and then we will have a great game to play.”