Cristiano Ronaldo's title dreams are hanging by a thread already! Saudi Pro League winners and losers as Al-Hilal's Serbian stars settle top-of-the-table clash - but there's more misery for Steven Gerrard

Was that the match that decided the Saudi Pro League title race? In early December, it's likely too early to say, but Al-Hilal's 3-0 win over Al-Nassr means there is now a seven-point gap at the top of the table as we approach the halfway point of the campaign.

That clash between Riyadh's top-two sides headlined another weekend of exciting Pro League action as the rest of the table begins to take shape in the Middle East.

Away from Friday's top-of-the-table clash, Al-Ittihad continued their recovery under new coach Marcelo Gallardo, as they recovered from an injury suffered by star striker Karim Benzema to beat Al-Khaleej 4-2 on Thursday.

That same night, there was a big win for third-placed Al-Ahli, who ran out 6-0 winners on the road at Abha, while surprise package Al-Taawoun remained in touch of the top-three with a comeback win over Al-Shabab on Saturday.

The news was less good for Steven Gerrard and Al-Ettifaq, however, who went down 1-0 to relegation-threatened Al-Akhdoud to maintain the pressure on their English coach.

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from the latest round of Saudi Pro League action...