SuperSport United made a major statement by beating rivals Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in DStv Premiership action on Friday evening.

Despite the Brazilians handing exciting new signings Marcelo Allende and Abubaker Nasir their first starts, it was the home side who had the better start as Thapelo Maseko tapped in at the far post after Iqraam Rayners provided him with a tap-in at the end of a counter-attack to fire SSU in the lead with just nine minutes gone.

Downs looked to get back into the game immediately and carved out openings for Peter Shalulile and Nasir, but a combination of good goalkeeping/defending and wasteful finishing frustrated the defending champions heading towards the break.

It then got worse for Masadawana as, moments before half time, Gavin Hunt’s team doubled their lead with Bradly Grobler nodding home at the back post after another assist for Rayners.

The visitors came out with a clear intention to get back into the game but Chigova was having a stormer in the SuperSport goal as he denied Maema shortly after the interval.

Eventually Downs turned to the bench and made a triple change on the hour mark as Themba Zwane, Sipho Mbule and Bradley Ralani all came on for Mokoena, Maema and Allende.

The subs also struggled as a well-drilled SuperSport side were proving hard to break down in the second half and, despite Nasir pulling one back in stoppage time, it was too little too late as Matsatsantsa held on for victory in the Tshwane derby.