Samut Prakan City brought Port’s eight-game winning streak to an end by putting six past their visitors on Sunday night, in a result which helped BG Pathum United extend their lead atop the Thai League table to 10 points.

The weekend’s standout game saw the league’s two in-form teams go head-to-head, as Samut Prakan City came in to Matchday 16 on the back of four straight league wins, while Port FC could extend their run to nine by taking all three points on Sunday.

Any expectation that the game would be a tight and tense affair was blown out of the water when the Sea Fang raced into a two goal lead in just seven minutes, with their pace and intensity catching Port off-guard. Jaroensak Wonggorn teed up Teeraphol Yoryoei for the opening goal, before finding the top corner himself from the edge of the box. Port got back into the game thanks to a penalty scored by Sergio Suarez, but that work was undermined thanks to a clumsy challenge from Siwakorn Chakkuprasart which gifted Peeradol Chamrasamee a chance to score from 12 yards as well.

Despite being comfortably in the lead, Samut Prakan insisted on pushing forward and were pegged back once again as Adisak Kraisorn halved the deficit with a header just before the break. Suphanan Bureerat looked like he had put the game to bed with a goal 10 minutes after the restart, but a defensive error allowed Nelson Bonilla to net Port’s third and keep the difference down to a single goal with 20 minutes still left to play.

The sucker punch eventually came when Port were caught up the pitch pushing for an equaliser, as Teeraphol managed to release Jaroensak in behind the visitors’ absent defense. The speedy winger bore down on goal before squaring the ball for Barros Tardeli to finish. Aris Zarifovic then rounded out the 6-3 win with his header in the final minutes and handed Port their biggest since June 2019.

That result was a major boost to BG Pathum United, who did their part by beating Prachuap at the LEO Stadium in Saturday’s early kickoff. The Rabbits were eager to carry their first-leg form into the second and struck the opener in the 39th minute, as Thitipan Puangchan linked up with Santiphap Chan-ngom down the right before whipping in a cross which was fired in by Sumanya Purisai. The second half saw the hosts introduce new signing Diogo Luis Santo – one of the Thai League’s all-time greats who built up legendary status during his time with Buriram – but it would be another Brazilian who struck the winning goal, as Victor Cardozo once again converted from the penalty spot. The Rabbits are now ten points clear of their closest challengers going into the new year and show no signs of taking their foot off the gas.

Elsewhere, Buriram found their way into the top four thanks to their 2-0 victory over Chonburi FC. Debutant Samuel Rosa Goncalves was at the center of the side’s attack, as he headed down Sasalak Haiprakhon’s cross for Jakkaphan Kaewprom to score the opener in the first half, before getting on the scoresheet himself in the second. The win saw the Thunder Castle take Chiangrai’s top four spot, but the Northerners now have two games in hand after their game against Suphanburi this weekend was postponed.

Ratchaburi also retained their place in the top four with a comfortable 3-1 win over Sukhothai FC, as Sittichok Kannoo carried his excellent cup form over to the league by netting twice before an excellent long-range effort from Steeven Langil sealed the win for the Dragons.

At the other end of the table, Trat FC ensured their stay at the bottom would only last for a week as they managed a 1-0 away win against Police Tero. The game’s only goal came in the 15 minute, as captain Pornpreecha Jarunai hit an excellent first-time effort from outside the box which beat goalkeeper Prasit Padungchok and nestled in the far corner. Despite the attacking talents of Dragan Boskovic, Teerathep Winothai and Greg Houla, Tero were unable to break down the visitors’ resolute defense and the White Elephants held on for a much-needed victory.

The result saw Tero drop to 12th in the table, overtaken by Nakhon Ratchasima, who managed a 2-0 win over Rayong FC the same evening. Debutant Gidi Kanuk stole the show with an excellent performance, netting the opening goal in the final minutes of the first half by reacting first to a loose ball in the penalty area and unleashing an excellent strike past goalkeeper Anusit Termmee. The hosts looked in firm control and ultimately wrapped up the result with a late goal from Amadou Ouattara to make it three wins on the bounce for the SwatCats.

Lastly, Bangkok United and Muangthong played out a compelling 2-2 draw at the Thammasat Stadium in a game of personal significance for both coaches. Muangthong took the lead after a goalless first half, as Hosogai’s wayward clearance landed to Sardor Mirzaev to head in. Goals from Chananan Pombuppha and Pokklaw Anan flipped the score around, but Derley converted Wattanakorn Sawatlakhon’s cross from close range to earn a point for the Kirin.

The league is now set to enter a short new years break, with action to return on the 5th of January 2021 when Chiangrai host Port in a rescheduled game, before Matchday 17 commences on the 9th.