Al Ahli continued their perfect start to the Arabian Gulf League season by coming through a tricky contest at Bani Yas to extend their winning run to six games.
Red Knights captain Grafite helped himself to a brace following Hugo Viana's first minute strike, while Yousef Jaber and Marcelinho got on the scoresheet for Bani Yas.
Portugal international Viana, who joined Al Ahli in the summer from Braga, scored immediately from kick-off to hand the leage leaders the perfect start to the contest.
After the worst possible start, Bani Yas managed to regroup and pulled level midway through the first half as Jaber met a Nawaf Mubarak cross to bury a header beyond Saif Yousuf.
Parity only lasted 20 minutes as Al Ahli regained their lead on the stroke of half-time as Grafite picked up his sixth goal of the season.
The second half developed into a frenetic, end-to-end encounter with both sides coming close on a number of occasions.
Much to the delight of the home fans, Bani Yas once again equalised as Marcelinho struck with 23 minutes remaining, but given the pace of the match, at least one more goal was inevitable.
And so it proved, with the crucial strike going to Al Ahli and their talismanic forward Grafite six minutes later. The Brazilian is now level at the top of the Arabian Gulf League scoring charts with Al Ain's Asamoah Gyan on seven.
Al Ahli maintained their six point lead at the top of the table after Sharjah maintained their impressive start to the season wth a 2-1 victory of Al Wahda.
Brazilian centre-back Mauricio Ramos opened the scoring for Sharjah after 18 minutes before Paulo Bonamigo's side doubled their lead six minutes before the half-time interval with an Ahmed Khamis strike.
Al Wahda pulled themselves back into the contest through a Damian Diaz strike just two minutes later, but a goalless second half ensured Sharjah climb to second in the table.
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