Tshepang Moremi's 55th-minute winner handed Orlando Pirates a 2-1 win over 10-man Kaizer Chiefs in Saturday's Soweto Derby as the Buccaneers went top of the South African Premiership.
In the first half, Yanela Mbuthuma's strike -- heavily deflected off Thabo Moloisane -- had been cancelled out by a Pule Mmodi equaliser gifted by an error from Sipho Chaine.
Pirates were arguably fortunate to go into half-time level. Mbuthuma's goal was tight and could potentially have been disallowed due offside, but the absence of VAR may have worked in the Buccaneers' favour.
Midfielder Simphiwe Selepe was hovering dangerously close to a sending-off, but Pirates went into the break with all 11 men on the field and completely dominated the second half. Chiefs centre-back Inacio Miguel saw back-to-back yellow cards late on as his frustration boiled over.
Pirates had several opportunities to put the game to bed, but while Abdeslam Ouaddou has been critical of his side's decision-making in the final third in midweek, the cry of relief he let out at full-time suggested that on this occasion, it mattered not as long as his team got the three points and Soweto bragging rights.
Defending champions Pirates now have 25 points from nine Premiership games. Mamelodi Sundowns have 23 from nine and face Durban City this evening at 8:15 p.m. CAT.
Following their first league defeat of the season in Fernando da Cruz's first Soweto Derby, Chiefs now languish 11 points behind the Buccaneers.