KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor thrashed 10-man Negri Sembilan 4-0 to reclaim second place in the Super League standings after a dominant display in Paroi on Monday.
Aliff Haiqal Lokman Hakim Lau opened the scoring in the 15th minute, setting Selangor on their way.
Alvin Fortes doubled their advantage in the 40th minute with a clinical strike, leaving the visitors firmly in control.
Negri's hopes took a major hit just before half-time when Che Rashid Che Halim was sent off for rough play, reducing the home side to 10 men.
Quentin Cheng made it 3-0 in the 48th minute with a well-taken effort, while Yohandry Orozco added a fourth in the 61st minute with a powerful finish, sealing an emphatic victory.
The result lifts Selangor to 32 points from 15 matches, overtaking Sabah, who drop to third on 29 points. However, the Red Giants remain 11 points behind runaway leaders Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT).
Selangor now turn their attention to Thursday's Challenge Cup quarter-final first-leg tie against Kelantan Darul Naim at the MBPJ Stadium. Meanwhile, Negri will look to regroup ahead of their Malaysia Cup quarter-final first-leg clash with Terengganu in Paroi on Saturday.