Cape Town - SuperSport United were full value for their 2-0 victory over AmaZulu at Kings Park Stadium on Sunday.
The win leaves Kaitano Tembo's side just one point behind second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns on the Absa Premiership table, while Usuthu remain rooted near the bottom in 14th place.
Things looked promising for AmaZulu in the opening five minutes, as an early cross went flying into the danger area before another good ball from Talent Chawapiwa found Lehlohonolo Majoro, whose header was dealt with by United keeper Ronwen Williams.
But despite the positive start, United soon took control of matters on the pitch, with an eighth-minute shot on target from Teboho Mokoena setting the tone for what was to come.
AmaZulu keeper Neil Boshoff had to be quick react to a dangerous corner whipped into the area shortly after, before United thought they were in front a few minutes later only for Kudakwashe Mahachi's goal to be ruled out for offside.
United kept pressing, and 10 minutes later they did have their opening goal. A tussle in the box resulted in the ball falling to Matthew Rusike, and the Zimbabwean international made no mistake from close range to put his side in front.
Matsatsantsa should have been two goals up four minutes later when a rebounded shot from Thamsanqa Gabuza fell to Bradley Grobler, but he somehow fired his shot wide of an open net.
Grobler would make up for the miss just two minutes later, however, as he smashed in United's second of the afternoon to double their lead.
AmaZulu came out full of intent in the second half but were still finding chances hard to come by.
They had a great opportunity to pull one back shortly after the hour mark when Bonginkosi Ntuli was put on through goal, but the striker could only fire his shot straight at Williams.
A few minutes later, the United keeper was on hand again to collect a potentially dangerous cross into the box, and then had to act quickly to deal with a loose back pass not long after.
With United happy to sit back and protect their advantage, AmaZulu continued to try and take the game to the opposition.
Ntuli sent a header over the bar in the 70th minute before a powerful volley from Siyethemba Sithebe went flying past the right-hand upright.
But Usuthu couldn't crack the SuperSport defence, and the Swanky Boys were able to hold on and collect all three points on offer.
- TEAMTalk