Maccabi Tel Aviv downed Hapoel Jerusalem 3-2 in an entertaining match that saw the yellow-and-blue take the 3-points at Teddy Stadium. Joris van Overreem opened the scoring in the 36th minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead but ex-Maccabi striker Matan Hozez’s right footed stunner drew the two sides even a quarter hour later. However, Sagiv Yehezkel slotted home a penalty and substitute Dor Peretz scored within three minutes of each other to give Zarko Lazetic’s squad a 3-1 lead in the 68th minute. Samba cut the lead to 3-2 in the 91st but that was as close as the reds would get as Maccabi closed out the victory.

“We controlled the game well and we pressed well throughout the game,” Lazetic said following the game. “We conceded two goals out of three attempts, but that’s football. We’ll know where we need to improve for the next game. I’m happy with the game we played, with how we pressed, with how we controlled the ball, but we looked a little tired. I’m expecting a little more sharpness.”

“Our first half wasn’t good,” Jerusalem Head Coach Ziv Arie began. “This happens to us a lot against these types of teams. Maccabi pressed in a way that we weren’t properly prepared for. Part of growing as a team is to end a half like that at 0-0. We had a great second half, we scored a goal and tied the game, but this team’s immaturity was at its worst and we conceded two unnecessary goals.”

Maccabi Haifa and Ironi Tiberias played to a goalless draw as the two sides split the points.

“You can’t argue with results and ability,” Haifa coach Barak Bachar began. “We started the game well, but we weren’t sharp enough up front. We had some bad minutes in the second half and we just didn’t have enough to win this game. I built the squad, I’m happy with it and we need to get more out of it. A win here could have created momentum, but the gap to first is still something that can be closed.”

“We’re happy with the point,” Tiberias bench boss Eliran Hodeda said. “A drawing this game wasn’t something that we had thought could happen at the beginning of the season, obviously when we’re playing against the big teams we play a tighter defense. We have to take points no matter from who or from where.”