Defending champions Gor Mahia have responded perfectly to last week’s criticism by thrashing debutants Mara Sugar 4-0 at Dandora Stadium to move to within two points of league leaders Kenya Police. Gor Mahia players and members of the technical bench were on the receiving end of criticism from the fans following their 1-0 loss to the relegation battling FC Talanta at the same venue. K’Ogalo were largely expected to register another routine win over Talanta and draw closer to the summit of the league standings, but the record champions were uncharacteristically, poor and would register their first loss under Croatian coach Sinisa Mihic. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8883783##The Gor faithful can however afford a smile after the club delivered an emphatic performance against Mara to keep their league title hopes very much alive heading into the final rounds of the season. After serving his two-game suspension, Mihic returned to the Gor touchline and would make a couple of changes in the starting line up that delivered one of the best performances since his arrival in February. One of the most shocking decisions the Croat made was benching the club’s influential midfielder Austine Odhiambo, who reportedly had a spat with in the build up to the match. Masika double leaves Tusker wobbling as Ulinzi whip sorry TalantaInstead, Mihic handed the play-making role to Ben Stanley Omondi, with veteran midfielder Ernest Wendo, captain Philemon Otieno, and Congolese striker Gedeon Bendeka also getting rare starts. Gor needed ten minutes to break the deadlock through Shariff Musa, who used his pace to finish off a through ball pass from midfielder Enoch Morrison. On-form Talanta forward determined to heal career heartbreaks with individual awardThe provider turned goalscorer in the 27th minute, as the Ghanaian midfielder used his weaker foot to beat Mara goalkeeper Evans Omondi from distance.Morrison, who had one of the best afternoons in a Gor shirt will, however, rue a caution in the second half, as it took his bookings to five, meaning that he will miss the next game. Gedeon Bendeka added a third ten minutes after the break, with second half substitute Alpha Onyango icing the Gor cake in the 90+1st minute. Gor made a mockery of the opponent after the fourth goal with fine exchanges in what looked like an ordinary training session. Shabana coach coy on team’s title chances after win over City StarsEarlier on, the 2009 league champions Sofapaka held Kakamega Homeboyz to a barren draw at the Mumias Sports Complex.Prior to the match, Homeboyz had won their last two matches against Bandari and AFC Leopards, while Sofapaka were on the back of a hard-fought 1-1draw against Gor Mahia.
