Israeli Premier League: Hapoel Tel Aviv 3 Maccabi Haifa 0

Reigning Israeli Premier League champions Maccabi Haifa slipped further behind in the 2011/12 title race after a 3-0 defeat at Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Haifa went into Monday’s game hoping for a response to last Thursday’s surprise defeat to AEK Larnaca in the Europa League, but found themselves under pressure from the start.

Hapoel – who needed to win to climb back to the top of the league – had a golden opportunity after seven minutes.

Haifa goalkeeper Bojan Saranov made a fine save, but his team-mates failed to clear their lines and Nigeria midfielder Nosa Igiebor headed wide when it looked easier to score.

After a scoreless first half, Hapoel took just four minutes in the second to break the deadlock.

Israel winger Alroey Cohen was allowed far too much time as he drove towards the penalty area, unleashing an unstoppable drive to make the scoresheet for the second league match in succession.

Hapoel then doubled their lead just three minutes later, with Cohen again involved.

This time, he was provider, finding Omer Damari outside the area, who finished well after holding off a challenge.

Haifa came close to getting one back moments later, with midfielder Idan Vered unfortunate to see his effort hit the post after some trickery around the area.

The woodwork came to Hapoel’s rescue again on 67 minutes, this time denying Georgia forward Vladimir Dvalishvili header.

After hitting the upright themselves, the home side eventually got the third goal their performance deserved in the first minute of stoppage time.

Leading scorer Damari split the Maccabi defence before midfielder Shay Abutbul’s teed up striker Toto Tamuz for the simplest of finishes.

The win extends Hapoel’s unbeaten record to eight games in all competitions and four in the league.

They moved back above Ironi Kiryat Shmona at the top of the table, with the sides meeting on Saturday.

Maccabi are now eight points off the pace.