A midweek round of DStv Premiership action saw the first four teams on the log all play to draws, allowing the upper half of the table to squeeze together somewhat: just 11 points now covers the top eight positions.

Mamelodi Sundowns and Swallows FC remain level in the top two places after being held by Bloemfontein Celtic (0-0) and Chippa United (1-1) respectively.

The Brazilians were in action on Tuesday, while Swallows missed out in the chance to assume top spot on Wednesday: Ruzaigh Gamildien scored again to see them lead early on, but Kurt Lentjies ensured the Chilli Boys salvaged a share of the spoils.

Third-placed SuperSport scored late on through a Bradley Grobler penalty to claim a 1-1 draw at home to AmaZulu, while fourth-placed Golden Arrows’ unbeaten status remains intact after a 0-0 draw away to Orlando Pirates. The sixth-placed Buccaneers have now won just once in their last five league outings.

The major beneficiaries of the upper-table team draws were Cape Town City, who moved up to fifth place and within seven points of the summit thanks to a 2-0 win at Black Leopards (with a brace from Bradley Ralani), as well as Kaizer Chiefs and Baroka FC.

Chiefs on Tuesday underlined that they have truly turned the corner under manager Gavin Hunt, as they racked up a third straight win (and their first as hosts this season) by defeating Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 3-0 at FNB Stadium, with goals from Nkosingiphile Ngoco, Lebogang Manyama and Happy Mashiane.

The Amakhosi are seventh on the log, while Baroka FC are just one point and one place behind after a 3-2 win away to Stellenbosch which featured a brace of goals and an assist from Evidence Makgopa.

The biggest victory of midweek surprisingly came from strugglers TS Galaxy, who broke a nine-game winless streak by thrashing Maritzburg United 3-0 at Harry Gwala Stadium. Goals from Wayde Lekay, Lindokuhle Mbatha and Felix Badenhorst saw the Rockets rise from last place to 12th.

The DStv Premiership will return with seven matches this coming weekend, headlined by a top-of-the-table clash between Sundowns and Swallows on Saturday afternoon. Bloemfontein Celtic’s scheduled fixture with TS Galaxy has been postponed due to the former completing their CAF Confederation Cup tie against Nigeria’s Rivers United.

DSTV PREMIERSHIP MIDWEEK RESULTS

Tuesday 19 January

Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 Tshakhuma TM
Mamelodi Sundowns 0-0 Bloemfontein Celtic

Wednesday 19 January

Swallows FC 1-1 Chippa United
SuperSport United 1-1 AmaZulu
Orlando Pirates 0-0 Golden Arrows
Stellenbosch FC 2-3 Baroka FC
Maritzburg United 0-3 TS Galaxy
Black Leopards 0-2 Cape Town City