Israel round-up: Haifa almost have it

Goals the difference 
Only a freak set of results can deny the Haifaites after they beat Hapoel Ironi Rishon while Tel-Aviv were held 1-1 by Maccabi Netanya. Haifa are 18 goals better off than their rivals in terms of goal difference.

Pitch invasion 
While Nir Sivilia's late tap-in sealed Haifa's victory at the Kiriat Eliezer Municipality stadium, the game was marred by a pitch invasion by the home fans. Last season a supporter was seriously injured in a similar incident and is yet to regain consciousness.

Keeper dismissed 
First-half goals from Raimondas Zutautas and Walid Badier had sandwiched Shai Holtzman's penalty for the visitors, who had goalkeeper Shlomi Ben Hemo sent off for a professional foul. At the Kfar Sava stadium, meanwhile, Tel-Aviv's challenge faltered as they dropped points for the second match running.

Boost for Beitar 
Elsewhere, Beitar Jerusalem moved off the bottom of the table with a 3-0 success against fellow strugglers Hapoel Haifa at the Teddy Stadium. Two goals from Itzik Zohar, one a penalty, and another from Motti Menachem clinched the win which lifted Beitar to within a point of third-bottom Haifa.

Tel-Aviv in third 
And Maccabi Tel-Aviv consolidated their third place, going five points clear of FC Ashdod with a 4-0 thrashing of Hapoel Beer-Sheva. Soon-to-be coach Nir Klinger watched on as Nir Levin's charges ran riot with second-half goals from Baruch Dago, Gadi Brumer, Amir Turgeman and Avi Nimni.