The great Moscow derby that pits Spartak Moscow versus CSKA Moscow concluded with a stunning 1-0 Spartak victory at a packed Luzhniki Stadium. The victory overturns CSKA's seven-year, nineteen match unbeaten streak between the two and puts Michael Laudrup's Spartak on the verge of qualifying for the UEFA Cup.
Coming into the match Koni hadn't recorded a loss since July when Valery Gazzaev announced this was his final year at the helm. With the victory, Spartak leaps above Amkar Perm' into fifth position and the people of Tatarstan ready for a Rubin Kazan victory tomorrow over Saturn Moscow Oblast, knowing it will give them the title.
The match was fast-paced as you would expect but it was the Spartak defense that rose to the ocassion, shuting down Vágner Love and Alan Dzagoev. While Yuri Zhirkov continued to threaten Spartak 'keeper Stipe Pletikosa, and it was Spartak that scored the matches lone goal five minutes after the break with the work of two Russian internationals. With the ball deep in the box, the CSKA defenders gave Vladimir Bystrov far too much room and as he moved down the penalty area he centered across to Nikita Bazhenov who finished perfectly.
With the lead Spartak's confidence soared and although CSKA pressured contstantly they were unable to bring the match level. Their hopes were dashed with five minutes left when Yuri Zhirkov was straight red-carded in an altercation with the referee.
In today's other action, Zenit Saint Petersburg overcame Khimki 1-0 with Danni scoring the long goal sixteen minutes into the match and holding onto the victory.
