Unstoppable Sundowns down Chiefs in Soweto to break PSL record

Neo Maema's first-half strike ultimately proved enough to see the mighty Brazilians notch up their 12th straight victory in the DStv Premiership, breaking the record they set in 2006/7 when they managed 11 wins in a row under Gordon Igesund.

The win puts them a massive 17 points clear of nearest rivals Richards Bay at the top of the table, and 22 points clear of Chiefs, who stay in fifth place after falling to a third straight defeat.

Chiefs recalled Keagan Dolly and Sifiso Hlanti to the starting line-up, while Sundowns welcomed back Peter Shalulile and Grant Kekana for the big clash at the FNB Stadium.

It didn't take the PSL log leaders long to make their presence felt. Shalulile and Neo Maema combined to beat Amakhosi's offside trap after just four minutes, and shortly after that, a strike from Yusuf Maart ricocheted off a Downs player and hit the post before a grateful Itumeleng Khune gathered the ball.

The Brazilians were controlling play and got their reward after 20 minutes following a classy move that started from the back and built up the right flank. Themba Zwane and Khuliso Mudau combined to send in a cross for Shalulile, whose cutback found Maema for a right-footed strike into the top corner to give the visitors the lead.

Chiefs needed to come to the party and started to look better as they tried to gain a foothold in the match, with a speedy counter-attack nearly catching Sundowns off guard before a poor ball from Ashley Du Preez stopped the move in its tracks.

A good ball from Nkosingiphile Ngcobo not long after gave Dolly a clear sight of goal but he could only hit the side netting - though the offside trap would have ruled the goal out either way.

As the first half wore down, Sundowns again looked dangerous, with Chiefs needing to be alert on defence on more than one occasion to keep them from doubling their lead.

Ten minutes into the second half, Amakhosi had another great chance to level the scores when Du Preez cut inside from the left and sent in a low cross for Dolly, but again the midfielder couldn't control his shot from close range.

Meanwhile, Sundowns nearly doubled their lead on the hour mark after a great run from Cassius Mailula, though the youngster couldn't deliver the finishing touch.

Both teams continued to create half-chances to score, with Edmilson Dove sending a header over the bar for Chiefs and Zwane nearly teeing up Shalulile at the other end for Sundowns.

With eight minutes to go, Sundowns nearly threw away their advantage after coughing up possession in a dangerous area, but Reeve Frosler fired wide after the ball fell kindly and that was as close as Chiefs came to getting something from the match.