Mamelodi Sundowns closed the gap on Kaizer Chiefs to four-points after claiming a comfortable 3-0 victory over AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Usuthu ended their four-game winless run in the league when they edged Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 in their last league encounter.

Sundowns, meanwhile, secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Polokwane City in their last league encounter on 21 December.

The last time these two sides met, they were forced to share the spoils when they played out to an entertaining 3-3 draw at the King Zwelithini Stadium.

The Brazilians got off to the perfect start after they broke the deadlock in the fourth minutes when Sibusiso Vilakazi show great composure before slotting the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Siyethemba Sithebe had a chance to level matters in the 15th minute but blazed his volley over the target.

Neil Boshoff came to his sides rescue in the 23rd minute when he made a great save to keep out Tebogo Langerman’s curling free-kick.

The home side we’re forced into making an early substitution when Mario Booysen was taken off the field through injury and subsequently replaced by Michael Morton.

Sundowns then doubled their lead just before the break when Mkhulise saw his shot blocked by Boshoff in a one-on-one situation before Themba Zwane slotted the ball into an empty net after capitalising on the rebound.

The Brazilians went into the half time break with a two-goal lead over Usuthu.

Sundowns were then awarded a penalty early in the second half. Zwane stepped up and made no mistake to slot home from the spot-kick to make it 3-0.

Pitso Mosimane made his first change of the game in the 66th minute when Lebohang Maboe was replaced by Keletso Makgalwa.

Vilakazi had a chance to extend their lead even further after 74 minutes of play but blazed his effort narrowly wide of the target after some great interplay between Mshishi, Vilakazi and Mkhulise.

Mosimane opted to bring on a fresh pair of leg when Tiyani Mabunda came on to replace Hlompho Kekana before bring on Aubrey Ngoma in place of Mkhulise eight minutes later.

However, Sundowns held on to their three-goal lead until the final whistle to claim their first win of the year.