Mamelodi Sundowns moved four points clear at the top of the Absa Premiership standings after claiming a comfortable 3-0 victory over Platinum Stars at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The match got off to a relatively slow start as Dino Visser came to his side’s rescue after 12 minutes when he palmed away Percy Tau’s strike, despite the Sundowns forward being flagged offside.

However, Sibusiso Vilakazi handed Sundowns the lead in the 22nd minute when he unleashed a powerful strike to find the top corner from outside the box and make it 1-0.

The Brazilians doubled their lead 10 minutes later after Tau’s well-placed free kick went in off the post with Visser well beaten, the score standing at 2-0.

Tau then added Sundowns’ third and his second of the day when he once again beat the Dikwena goalkeeper after steering his free kick into the back of the net to make it 3-0.

Sundowns went into the half time interval with a three-goal lead over Dikwena.

The Brazilians continued to dominate the game with Tau nearly completing his hat-trick two minutes into the second half, but Visser was on hand to deny the forward.

Pitso Mosimane opted to make a change in the 63rd minute when he introduced debutant Aubrey Ngoma to replace Khama Billiat in attack before handing Gaston Sirino his debut in the 72nd minute, replacing Vilakazi.

Themba Zwane should’ve extended his side’s lead even further, but the midfielder fired his effort over the target after being played through on goal by Tau.

Sundowns thought they added a fourth in the 80th minute, but Tau’s goal was flagged offside by the linesman.

Mosimane made his final change three minutes later when he replaced Zwane to hand new signing Jeremy Brockie his debut.

Dikwena pressed forward in search of a goal in the closing stages of the match but were unable to penetrate the home side’s defence as Sundowns held on to their three-goal lead until the final whistle to go four points clear at the top of the Absa Premiership standings.