PTV - Syavash Akbarpour scores a hat trick in Esteqlal's 5-0 win over Payam to send the Blues to the second spot in Iran's Premier League.
Crisis-stricken Payam lined up against Esteqlal at Tehran's Azadi Stadium on Wednesday, a week after its assistant coach Khodadad Azizi was arrested for physically assaulting a reporter.
Esteqlal, which dominated the match from start to finish, ended the first half 2-0 thanks to a double by Akbarpour.
Arash Borhani missed a penalty kick in the 65th minute, but only two minutes later he managed to extend Esteqlal's lead.
Former Esteqlal defender Mehdi Hasheminasab missed a penalty in the 72nd minute for Payam only to see Akbarpour completing his hat-trick four minutes later.
Borhani who was given another spot kick turned his second penalty five minutes from time to seal an easy 5-0 victory over a Payam which has not had a training session for more than a month.
In another Wednesday match, Abumoslem was held to a 2-2 draw against Malavan.
The victory sent Esteqlal to IPL's second place with 31 points, one point behind leader Zob Ahan, which will face Foulad on Thursday.
Peykan has the chance to reclaim the second spot should it beat Mes on the same day, as the Blue's archrival Persepolis will take on Rah-Ahan.
