Eastern are just one match away from achieving a treble-winning season after thrashing Happy Valley 4-0 in the Hong Kong Premier League at Mong Kok Stadium on Tuesday. Taking advantage of Kitchee’s sloppy 1-1 draw against Southern two days ago, they now move to the top of table with 18 points, a single point clear of rivals Kitchee and R&F before the season concludes on Sunday. A victory over R&F in their remaining fixture means Eastern can claim their first league championship since 2016 and it would add to the FA Cup and Senior Shield they lifted over the past two weeks. “I was still in a celebratory mood [after winning the two cup titles] but it dawned on me that we had the chance of winning the league championship and that put me under pressure again,” said Eastern manager Lee Chi-kin. “Of course it’s going to be a big match [against R&F]. Victory can put us on top of the world [with a treble season], a big reward to the players, management and fans after a long season. HKPL title race in Eastern’s hands after Southern shock Kitchee “We all know the importance of it all and will have to carefully make use of the next four days before we get back on the pitch again and play the deciding match.” Lee is in the same situation as he was last season when he led Wofoo Tai Po to the league title when they defeated R&F on their way to claiming the championship. They also defeated R&F in the FA Cup final last week. “I don’t know why it’s always R&F in the crucial stage,” said Lee. “Hopefully I have gathered sufficient experience to do it again against them on Sunday, using statistics and data. At the end of the day, you have to rely on your own to achieve it.” Lee, however, paid tribute to Happy Valley for their positive play throughout the match. R&F keep slim title hopes alive with win over Lee Man “They have nothing to play for but still displayed great fighting spirit,” said the manager. “They have my biggest respect.” Against a stubborn Happy Valley defence, Eastern could only break the deadlock in the closing stages of the first half through Wong Wai. Lucas da Silva found the net twice while Joao Pereira also scored for Eastern in a dominant second half. Happy Valley, who have yet to win a match in the restart of the season and stay at the bottom of the table, will meet Kitchee on Sunday and the result could make an impact to the final standings. “We want to prove we are not here to make up the numbers,” said defender Wong Ho-yin. “We give the same fighting attitude no matter which team we meet. The same thing will happen in our last match on Sunday.”