Zenit catches up with Russia’s Premier League leaders

Zenit Saint Petersburg has joined Spartak Nalchik on top of the Russian Premier League after a 1-0 win against Saturn on Matchday 8.

Even though Saturn was reduced to ten men halfway through the first half – keeper Artyom Rebrov was sent off for hand ball outside the box – the visitors only managed to take advantage two minutes from time.

Defender Nikolas Lombaerts scored the header to grant his team the win.

“As expected, this was a tough match. Saturn is a very well organized team, which has already caused a lot of problems for the leaders. This time we were unable to demonstrate our speed. The team lacked freshness, but this is another reason to praise all the players, because, despite all these difficulties, they were able to win,” Sportbox.ru quotes Zenit boss Luciano Spalletti as saying

Both leaders have 18 points now, but Nalchik is ahead on goal difference.

CSKA Moscow 3-1 FC Tom

CSKA entertained Tom in Moscow, and Aleksandr Kharitonov stunned the hosts just 15 minutes in.

However, it took CSKA just four minutes to equalize as Milos Krasic was in the right place at the right time following a corner, 1-1.

In the second half, Brazil’s Guilherme split the Tom defence to give hosts the lead in the 65th minute.

The Brazilian, who is on loan from Dynamo Kiev, scored his second in injury time to seal the win for CSKA, which moves up to third in the standings.

Sibir Novosibirsk 2-0 Rostov

Sibir finally got its first win of the season against visiting Rostov.

Aleksey Medvedev opened the scoring with a header in the 58th minute. Then, two minutes from time, Ivan Nagibin doubled the lead for the hosts, ending it 2-0.

Alania Vladikavkaz 1-1 Rubin Kazan

Defending champion Rubin is still looking for the form it showed last year.

Kurban Berdyev’s men were trailing after an effort from Bulgarian Ivan Stoyanov in the middle of the first half. Kazan managed to eventually salvage a point thanks to a goal from Alan Kasayev two minutes from time.

Amkar Perm 0-2 Spartak Moscow

In the final game of the night, the duo of Spartak’s Brazilian strikers – Ari and Welliton – scored in the first and second half respectively to give the Muscovites a well deserved win.