A sparkling first half performance by Rivers United set the tone for a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Enugu Rangers in an exciting Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game decided at the Yakubu Gowon (former Port Harcourt Liberation) Stadium on Sunday.<br /><br />United were seemingly on the ropes before the contest with no less than five of their first team players unavailable either through suspension or injury.<br /><br />In the absence of trusted personnel which included the club&rsquo;s top scorer, Chinonso Okonkwo, United produced their best performance of the season as they dispatched the highly-rated Flying Antelopes with a barn-storming display.<br /><br />United showed their intent early on when Chigozie Ihunda was presented with a one-on-one opportunity in the ninth minute following a shocking defensive error by Okey Odita.<br /><br />The right back-turned auxiliary forward however opted to chip the goalkeeper, Emmanuel Daniel rather than go for power and the effort sailed harmlessly wide.<br /><br />The home fans did not have to wait too long for the opening goal though and it arrived in the 17th minute.<br /><br />Ihunda was upended in the box and Bernard Ovoke stepped up to dispatch the spot kick in cold-blooded fashion.<br /><br />Four minutes later, the hosts were two goals to the good and the effort by Christian Weli will be talked about for many days to come.<br /><br />The Rivers United midfielder picked up the ball about 30 yards out on the left and with the unsuspecting Rangers rear guard expecting a slow build up, Weli let fly from the outrageous distance and found the top left hand corner of Emmanuel Daniel&rsquo;s goal.<br /><br />The home fans went wild as they celebrated the effort which will definitely be in contention for goal-of-the-season.<br /><br />United were flying and added a third goal-yet another out of the top drawer-on the stroke of half time, to virtually end the game as a contest.<br /><br />A flowing team move which involved four United players was finished off, left footed by Ovoke, who fired into the roof of the Rangers net as the shell-shocked visitors struggled to contemplate what had hit them.<br /><br />Rangers were to claim a consolation two minutes after the restart in fortuitous fashion with Olalekan Gabriel inadvertently diverting a cross from the right past Sunday Rotimi and into the United goal.<br /><br />The two sides traded chances afterwards but the hosts always looked the likelier of the two sides to add to their tally.<br /><br />Ofem Inah&rsquo;s cross, with seven minutes remaining, was met by an Ihunda header which clattered against the post with Daniel beaten.<br /><br />Rangers stay top of the standings with 27 points from 14 matches despite the defeat in Port Harcourt while United moved up to sixth with 22 points from 14 matches.<br /><br />Sammy Wejinya<br />