Mamelodi Sundowns opened an 18 point lead at the top of the DStv Premiership standings after they thrashed Orlando Pirates 4-1 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday evening.

Sundowns got off to a good start and came close to opening the scoring inside the first three minutes but Thapelo Morena fired his first time volley over the crossbar after latching on to a cross from Lyle Lakay.

The Buccaneers had a chance of their own moments later but Deon Hotto’s left footed shot sailed just wide of the far post after Thembinkosi Lorch played the Namibian through on goal.

The home side came close to breaking the deadlock in he 15th minute but the loose clearance inside the Pirates box flashed across the face of goal.

The Buccaneers had a chance to break the deadlock in the 24th minute but Paseka Mako’s powerful shot from outside the box sailed high and wide of the target.

Peter Shalulile nearly opened the scoring in the 36th minute when he was played through on goal but guided his effort wide of the target at the last minute.

Siyabonga Mpontshane was called into action in the 40th minute when he rushed off his line to punch away a testing ball into the penalty area.

Sundowns were dealt a major blow a minute before halftime when Grant Kekana was stretched off the field after sustaining a knee injury and was subsequently replaced by Pavol Safranko.

The home side came out guns blazing in the second half and broke the deadlock six minutes in as Themba Zwane found the back of the net with a simple tap-in after Shalulile’s guided his header into his path.

The Brazilians doubled their lead on the hour mark after Lakay played an inviting ball into the box from a set-piece, which Safranko rose the highest to head the ball past Mpontshane.

Safranko managed to complete his brace in the 72nd minute to add Sundowns third goal of the game after he slotted the ball into an empty net after being set up by Shalulile.

Shalulile eventually got his name on the scoresheet four minutes later when he found the back of the net with a free header after receiving a inch-perfect cross from Lakay to make it 4-0.

Pirates managed to pull a goal back deep into stoppage time when Fortune Makaringe found the top corner, but his strike proved to be a consolation goal as the game ended 4-1 n favour of Sundowns.