Mohamed Hany and substitute Monsef Bakrar scored as Al Ahly beat Zamalek 2-0 to move provisionally top of the Egyptian Premier League.
Hany opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Bakrar doubled the lead in the 80th, settling the sixth-round derby.
The victory took Al Ahly to 16 points, one ahead of Pyramids, who have a game in hand. Zamalek dropped to third on 13 points.
Hussein Ammouta’s side remain unbeaten with five wins and a draw. Zamalek suffered their first league defeat after entering the match level on points with their rivals.
Al Ahly threatened early, with Emam Ashour heading over before Soufiane Benjdida missed a clear chance from Ahmed Sayed Zizo’s cross.
Hany eventually broke the deadlock with a powerful effort from outside the penalty area that took a deflection before beating El-Mahdi Soliman.
Zamalek had opportunities to respond. Chico Banza missed a chance shortly before half-time after Ahmed Sherif found him inside the area.
Mostafa Shobeir then preserved Al Ahly’s lead early in the second half, saving Sherif’s header from Mahmoud Bentayg’s cross.
Ammouta introduced Bakrar for Benjdida midway through the second half as Al Ahly searched for a second goal. The Algerian received a pass from Zizo and struck a low shot from outside the area past Soliman.
Zamalek assistant coach Ibrahim Salah received a red card after protesting to referee Rade Obrenović following the second goal.
Following the victory, Al Ahly are now leading the league, one point ahead of Pyramids.
Pyramids can reclaim first place when they host Ceramica Cleopatra on Monday. They entered the round with a perfect record of five wins from five matches.
Sunday’s derby marked the league’s return after the international break, following several changes at the top during the previous round.
Before the Premier League returned from the international break, however, Al Ahly had defeated Abu Qir Fertilizers on September 15, when Zizo and Hussein El-Shahat scored to send the Red Devils temporarily top.
Zamalek then overtook them with a late win at Ghazl El-Mahalla the following day, thanks to Ahmed Sherif’s penalty.
Pyramids reclaimed the summit on September 17 after coming from behind to beat El Sharkia ENPPI, leaving them two points clear heading into the break.