Bangkok United’s come-from-behind victory against Suphanburi FC saw them cement their place as league leaders, extending their perfect record to five games and forging a two-point lead above their closest competitors.

After being denied a chance to return to action last weekend due to COVID-19 complications, all eyes were on Bangkok United to see if they would continue the blistering form which saw them become pre-lockdown pace-setters.

However, the hosts found themselves a goal behind after just one minute in their match against Suphanburi FC, when Wasan Homsan’s cross was lofted into a dangerous area by Parndecha Ngernprasert and turned in by Brazilian striker Eliandro. Against a team which has only conceded three goals all season, the Angels faced a mountain to climb in a match critical for setting the tone coming out of the extended break.

The hosts came out for the second half with purpose and drive, as coach Mano Polking brought on the stylish and creative Sanrawat Dechmitr to help them gain the edge in attack. It took 13 minutes after the restart to pull level, with striker Nattawut Suksum getting on the end of Tristan Do’s cross with a deft header to beat Patrick Deyto.

United were incessant after pulling level, with Vander Luiz, Wisarut Imura, and Nattawut all narrowly missing chances to take the lead. They’d eventually get their just reward when Tristan Do turned provider once again, this time with his weaker left foot, to pick out Anon Amornlerdsak at the far post for a close-range finish.

The result saw Bangkok United jump two points clear of the chasing pack, enabled by results earlier in the day as the rest of the top six did battle and produced a string of results fairly favourable to the league leaders.

Ratchaburi FC also played their first post-lockdown match last night, and hoped to maintain their perfect record of four wins from four when they travelled to high-flying Police Tero. The hosts had an early goal by Kwon Dae-Hee denied, but did well to stifle Ratchaburi’s foreign attacking talents and mount an impressive charge without their own imported forwards.

The Fire Dragons thought they would take all three points when Pathompol Charoenrattanaphirom slipped Adisak Srikampang through for a deadlock-breaking goal in the 78th minute. However, Ratchaburi’s Yannick Boli came off the bench to level the scoring in stoppage time, with effort which deflected off Dominic Tan to beat goalkeeper Prasit Padungchok.

Lastly, but most significantly, BG Pathum United managed to pick up all three points against Port FC thanks to a a solid defensive performance at the PAT Stadium. The visitors struck early as former Port forward Chenrop Samphaodi skipped past Elias Dolah and fired a low shot into the far corner after just 13 minutes. The Rabbits then proceeded to stifle Port’s attacking talents out of the game, forcing a frustrated Heberty into deeper and deeper positions and cutting off supply to the rest of the forward line.

BG managed to hold on for the 1-0 victory, helping them climb to second place, two points behind Bangkok United. They will face the league leaders at the Thammasat Stadium next Sunday in what is shaping up to be an enthralling battle for the top spot.