Miloš Krasić leads CSKA Moskva to victory

The Zico-led CSKA Moskva seems to be launching into overdrive as the Army-Men devoured Khimki 3-0 in comprehensive fashion. The star-studded CSKA lineup turned to Miloš Krasić on Sunday as the Serbian international, a product FK Vojvodina's brilliant system, littered Khimki's nets for three goals while barely allowing the opposition room to attack. The Army-Men opened the score-sheet five minutes into the match as Alan Dzagoev's in-swinging corner was flicked on and after digging out of his feet, the Serbian play-maker turned goalscorer sent the ball to the dead-centre of the net. At the half hour mark he scored a highlight reel goal that seemed to defy logic as after collecting Eugeni Aldonin long pass, he circumvented the onrushing Khimki 'keeper Dmitri Borodin and just before running out of space struck the ball, grazing the near post and off the far one and in. With sixteen minutes left his day wasn't complete as Moussa Maazou surged down the right flank and after his effort was pushed aside by the Khimki 'keeper, Krasić poached on the rebound and powerfully drove it in for his third strike the day.

Yegor Titov continues to lead Khimki to safety

Of the many great stories that this season will be remembered for one is the leadership of veteran Russian international Yegor Titov at Khimki. Since joining the club after twenty-five years as a part of Spartak Moscow, he has spearheaded Khimki's tough climb up the table. In following this move, prior to joining the club they produced a meager thirteen points in eighteen matches but in the ten matches since arriving, they have earned eleven points and have eased out the relegation zone. Whilst the battle is far from over with Luch-Energiya Vladivostok only four points behind, today they grabbed an important 1-1 draw against Tom' Tomsk as veteran Nastja Čeh leveled the match with six minutes remaining.

Spartak wins Moscow derby!

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.