Kaizer Chiefs defeated Soweto derby rivals Swallows FC 3-1 at the Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with the result taking them to second place on the DStv Premiership log.

Goals from Keagan Dolly and Khama Billiat (two) saw the Amakhosi to victory and three points, rising to second spot on 22 points (eight adrift of leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played a game less), while the Birds have dropped below Marumo Gallants on goal difference and now occupy 16th spot after stretching their winless run to 11 matches.

Chiefs created the first clear chance of the match on 13 minutes, with Keagan Dolly’s reverse pass from the right flank picking out Bernard Parker’s run, though the veteran was forced wide and saw his effort from a tight angle saved by goalkeeper Jody February.

The Amakhosi generally enjoyed more of the ball, though Swallows did offer a threat on the counter attack, with Monnapule Saleng and Kamohelo Mahlatsi often making smart runs into the half-spaces between fullbacks and centre-backs.

Yet Chiefs kept plugging away and were rewarded with an opening goal in the 43rd minute: Anthony Akumu won the ball high up the pitch, Khama Billiat teed up Dolly, and the attacker steered a right-footed shot into the net via the legs of February for a 1-0 lead.

And that advantage was doubled in injury time before the break, with Ramahlwe Mphahlele winning the ball down the right, exchanging passes with Dolly before squaring for Billiat, who burst into space in the box and then provided an excellent finish into the roof of the net from a tight angle for a 2-0 Chiefs lead.

Swallows looked to step up a gear or two at the start of the second half, but on 53 minutes they found themselves 3-0 down thanks to another fine goal from Billiat, who picked up a pass from Parker and beat two defenders before firing home a left-footed shot that hit the back of the net via the face of the unfortunate February.

Swallows responded with a double change – sending on Keletso Makgalwa and Ruzaigh Gamildien – but it was starters Grant Margeman and Lebohang Mokoena who got their team back in the game just after the hour mark.

Margeman provided an incisive cross from the left and Mokoena provided a deft, cushioned finish with the outside of his foot which found the back of the net via the inside of goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi’s left-hand post.

The Birds were energised by their goal and continued to throw numbers forward, finding particular penetration down their right flank thanks to the running of Makgalwa, though Chiefs were able to repel most of what their hosts could throw at them.

With the Amakhosi able to see off an initial storm from Swallows, the remainder of the match passed in relative comfort for Stuart Baxter and his team, as they picked up a fifth win from their last seven league outings.

The teams will be back in DStv Premiership action next Saturday, 4 December, with Swallows hosting Maritzburg United and Chiefs welcoming Cape Town City.

Swallows FC (0) 1 (Mokoena 63’)
Kaizer Chiefs (2) 3 (Dolly 43’, Billiat 45+1’ 53’)

Swallows: February, Matlaba, Sait, Mohamme, Langerman, Margeman, Khupe (Matlou 84’), Mokoena, Saleng (Solomons 84’), Mahlatsi (Gamildien 58’), K. Ndlovu (Makgalwa 58’)

Chiefs: Akpeyi, Mphahlele, Mathoho, Cardoso, Dube (Ngezana 88’), Akumu, Baccus, Parker (Radebe 88’), Mashiane (Ntiya-Ntiya 68’), Dolly (Sekgota 82’), Billiat (Manyama 82’)