Leaders SCG Muang Thong United moved a step closer to winning the Thailand Premier League title when they defeated Esan United 3-0 at SCG Stadium yesterday.

Brazilian striker Paolo Rangel put the Kirins ahead in the 15th minute. In the second half Esan United had several chances to equalise from Withichai Tathong but was denied by in-form Kirins goalkeeper Kawin Thammasatchanan.

An own-goal by Guy Hubert 10 minutes from time doubled Muang Thong's lead before Rangel grabbed his second of the day in injury-time. A Mongkol Namnuan cross from the left-flank found the unmarked Rangel who put the ball into the back of the net.

Second-placed Chonburi FC also picked up all three points after they defeated relegation strugglers BB-CU FC 4-1 at Chonburi Stadium with all four goals coming in the second half.

Nurul Sriyankem put the Sharks ahead in the 55th minute before Junior Guimaro equalised for BB-Cu in the 63rd minute.

Defender Panuwat Jinta put Chonburi in front again four minutes later before Pipob On-mo and Therdsak Chaiman completed the scoreline in the 83rd and 89th minute respectively.

Hosts Pattaya United suffered a 3-1 home defeat against TOT SC at Nong Prue stadium.

The Blue Dolphin started off well when Ludovick Takam opened the scoring in the 21st minute. TOT fought back in the second half via Vicharn Nantasri (68th), Aekkachai Rithiphan (71st and 94th).

At Chiang Mai 700th anniversary stadium, TTM Chiang Mai look likely to become the first team to be relegated when they lost 5-2 to Thai Port FC.

A double from from Leonado da Silva failed to save TTM who remained bottom with 18 points from 30 games.

Port got their goals from Steven Robb (31st), Kiatcharoen Ruanpan (45th), Sarawut Kongcharoen (61st), Olof Watson (74th) and Ri Myong-Jun (82nd).

TODAY'S FIXTURES

6pm _ Samut Songkhram FC vs BEC Tero Sasana _ Samut Songkhram stadium (NBT); Army United vs Buriram United _ Army stadium (TrueSport 2); Wuachon United vs Osotspa M-150 Saraburi _ Tinsulanonda stadium (Tape)

7 pm _ Insee Police United vs Chainat FC _ Thammasat stadium (TrueVisions 69); Chiang Rai United vs Bangkok Glass FC _ United stadium (True Special Sport 161)

STANDINGS

! P ! W ! D ! L ! F ! A ! Pts!!

SCG ! 29 ! 22 ! 7 ! 0 ! 64 ! 26 ! 73!!

Chonburi ! 28 ! 18 ! 6 ! 4 ! 53 ! 25 ! 60!!

Buriram ! 29 ! 13 ! 10 ! 6 ! 52 ! 32 ! 49!!

BEC Tero ! 29 ! 13 ! 7 ! 9 ! 39 ! 38 ! 46!!

TOT SC ! 30 ! 10 ! 11 ! 9 ! 40 ! 38 ! 41!!

Bkk Glass ! 29 ! 9 ! 13 ! 7 ! 46 ! 33 ! 40!!

Esan United ! 30 ! 9 ! 13 ! 8 ! 36 ! 38 ! 40!!

Army Utd ! 29 ! 9 ! 11 ! 9 ! 28 ! 31 ! 38!!

Osotspa ! 28 ! 11 ! 4 ! 13 ! 44 ! 41 ! 37!!

S Songkhram ! 29 ! 10 ! 7 ! 12 ! 32! 37 ! 37!!

Wuachon ! 28 ! 8 ! 12 ! 8 ! 37 ! 39 ! 36!!

Pattaya ! 30 ! 9 ! 9 ! 12 ! 32 ! 38 ! 36!!

Chiang Rai ! 29 ! 8 ! 11 ! 10 ! 34 ! 41 ! 35!!

Thai Port ! 30 ! 7 ! 9 ! 14 ! 28 ! 43 ! 30!!

Chainat FC ! 29 ! 6 ! 12 ! 11 ! 48 ! 63 ! 30!!

Insee Police ! 29 ! 6 ! 11 ! 12 ! 26 ! 34 ! 29!!

BB-CU FC ! 29 ! 4 ! 11 ! 14 ! 28 ! 47 ! 23!!

Chiang Mai ! 30 ! 2 ! 12 ! 16 !22 ! 44! 18!!