Hapoel Petah Tikva returned to winning ways with a comfortable 2-0 home victory over Ashdod MS in the Israel Premier League on Monday, February 2, 2026. Two second-half goals secured a crucial three points for Petah Tikva, easing their relegation fears and denting Ashdod's survival hopes. After a goalless first half where both teams struggled for fluency, Petah Tikva broke the deadlock early in the second period with a close-range finish following a goalmouth scramble. They sealed the win with a well-executed counter-attack in the 75th minute, giving Ashdod a mountain to climb which they ultimately could not scale. The clean sheet will be as pleasing for the Petah Tikva manager as the goals, with his defense looking organized throughout. This result provides a significant boost for Petah Tikva's league position, moving them further clear of the bottom, while Ashdod's defeat leaves them in a perilous situation. The winning coach highlighted a complete team performance, while the Ashdod manager pointed to a lack of quality in the final third.