Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns moved to the top of the table after they thrashed Baroka FC 4-0 in an AbsaPremiership encounter.

Pitso Mosimane's side were on the front foot as early as the third minute when Motjeka Madisha broke the deadlock from the penalty spot.

Sundowns wasted no time in asserting their authority on proceedings as Ali Banda sent Sibusiso Vilakazi tumbling inside the area in the third minute, and Madisha converted the resulting penalty to open the scoring.

The hosts piled on the pressure as they went in search of more goals and their second duly arrived on 27 minutes when Khama Billiat crossed for Themba Zwane to slot past Virgil Vries from inside the box.

The Limpopo outfit managed to keep 'Downs at bay for the remainder of the half, as Vries saved Billiat's strike from 12 yards out 10 minute before the break.

The Tshwane giants made an equally impressive start to the second half with Tau finding the back of the net just two minutes after the restart to cap off a fine passing move.

Billiat had a hand in their fourth goal as well, the Zimbabwean star teeing up Tau to beat Vries from close range on 71 minutes.

The visitors offered very little in attack, although they did have a late chance to get on the scoresheet, but Richard Matloga failed to trouble Denis Onyango in the home goal.

Sundowns went level on 19 points with Baroka in second and Orlando Pirates in third, but sit top of the pile due to a superior goal difference, having played three games less than their title rivals.