Former Spain and Real Madrid centre forward Alvaro Negredo struck on Sunday for the sixth-successive Arabian Gulf League match to continue Al Nasr’s revival with a deserved 2-0 win against Al Dhafra.

Negredo, 33, arrived in Dubai from Turkey’s Besiktas this summer with a huge reputation after spells at clubs that also include Sevilla and Manchester City. He has quickly recovered from a penalty miss on debut against champions Al Ain to rattle in nine goals during the next seven matches in all competitions.

This exceptional spell continued apace at Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium. A long ball from ex-France midfielder Yohan Cabaye picked out Negredo on 28 minutes, who did the rest with a slotted finish into the bottom corner.

The Blue Wave’s cruise towards victory continued two minutes before the break when Khalid Ali Aldarmaki unluckily deflected a cross into his own goal.

Victory saw Ivan Jovanovic’s men move further away from the relegation spots. The Serbian’s troops lost their opening four fixtures, but are now undefeated in five.

Dhafra, however, sit one place above the drop zone after they recorded a second-successive loss.

Meanwhile, holders Al Ain struck in both halves to earn a 2-0 triumph against promoted Bani Yas and avert talk of a crisis.

The Boss had lost two of their last three fixtures – at home to rivals Al Jazira and Sharjah. There were no worries of a repeat at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium as UAE prospect Rayan Yaslam converted from close range and Egypt midfielder Hussein El Shahat struck from distance.

They now only trail leaders Sharjah by two points after their 2-2 draw with yo-yo side Ittihad Kalba.

The visitors to Khaled bin Mohamed Stadium twice fought back to claim a share of the spoils. Igor Coronado and Saif Rashid scored for Sharjah, with Myke Ramos and Balazs Dzsudzsak responding.