Al-Nassr 2-0 Al-Kholood: Mane and Martinez maintain hosts' winning start

Al-Nassr returned to the top of the Saudi Pro League table following a 2-0 victory over Al-Kholood.

Second-half goals at Al-Awaal Park from Sadio Mane and debutant Inigo Martinez maintained the hosts' winning start to the new season after two games.

Jorge Jesus' side endured a difficult first half, but they broke the deadlock seven minutes after the break.

Mane played a neat one-two with Kingsley Coman, before beating Al-Kholood goalkeeper Juan Pablo Cozzani with a clever reverse finish.

The hosts should have doubled their lead midway through the second half, but Coman blazed over an open goal after Cozzani could only parry Mane's initial effort.

However, the second goal did arrive with 10 minutes remaining, as Martinez headed home from Marcelo Brozovic's corner.

After Coman saw a shot cleared off the line, the visitors had a late chance to halve the deficit when Martinez was deemed to have fouled Muhammad Sawaan.

Yet, Al-Nassr goalkeeper Raghid Najjar guessed correctly to deny Myziane Maolida and preserve the three points and clean sheet.

Data Debrief: Back-to-back wins for Jesus' side

Al-Nassr have won their opening two matches of a Saudi Pro League season for the first time since 2019-20.

They are now unbeaten in each of their last 10 league games played in the month of September.

Meanwhile, only one of Al-Kholood's last 11 away league matches has resulted in victory.