Mamelodi Sundowns coasted to victory after a slow start, defeating Platinum Stars 2-0 in a Premier Soccer League clash at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Wednesday night.

The first half got off to a pedestrian start with the home side dominating early possession but unable to mount any serious

attacks.

Sundowns started to work their way into the game with Bafana defender Matthew Booth involved heavily, often starting off

movements for his team and sending in good long balls for his strikers.

The visitors seemed the more likely to score after a sketchy start, but they were allowed to dominate by Stars, who opted to fall back on defence.

Downs then began to mount one attack after another with the space they were given and in the 27th minute they scored the opening goal.

Booth again sent the ball long to midfielder Franklin Cale, who quickly offloaded to striker Surprise Moriri on the right. Moriri crossed perfectly to set up Katlego Mphela, who found the back of the net to put the visitors in the lead.

After the opening goal, however, they seemed content to sit back, looking to catch stars on the occasional counter-attack.

The only real threat from Stars came in injury time when Mduduzi Nyanda had a goalward shot well saved by Calvin Marlin. The ensuing corner resulted in a goal mouth scuffle, with Stars seemingly certain to equalise before the Downs defence somehow got the ball away.

Sundowns doubled their lead with the last move of the game from a corner when substitute Mabhudi Khenyeza was able to direct his header past Stars goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini.