Winger Ciel was the star for Al Ahli in their comfortable 3-1 triumph over Al Nasr at Al-Rashid Stadium.
The 31-year-old opened the scoring after 20 minutes, before adding a second from the penalty spot five minutes before half-time.
Mahmoud Khamis halved the deficit shortly before the break, but Ciel provided the assist for Grafite to restore the two-goal cushion and wrap up the points for Cosmin Olaroiu's men shortly after the hour mark.
At the other end of the table, Ajman's dismal season continued in a 2-1 setback at fourth-placed Al Sharjah.
Ismail Mohammed Al Jasmi pulled a goal back for Abdul Alwab Abdulkadir's men in the 79th minute, but the visitors could not find the equaliser despite Ze Carlos receiving his marching orders in the closing stages.
Mohammed Fawzi and Ahmed Malalla scored with the space of three minutes shortly after the hour, before Ahmed Mallah was sent off for the visitors in the 77th minute.
Dubai's misery was compounded when a Haboush Saleh Habou double secured the comfortable win.
Elsewhere, Emirates eased their own struggles with a 2-1 triumph over Al Wahda, while Al Ain and Al Dhafra played out a 1-1 draw.
