Published: 19 July, 2009, 18:10
Edited: 19 July, 2009, 18:10
Spartak Moscow have missed a chance to close the gap on Russia’s Premier League leaders Rubin to a minimum after a home draw with Krylia Sovietov.
The teams showed good speed on the artificial turf of the Luzhniki stadium not paying any attention to the Moscow heat.
Spartak relied on the pace their lone striker Welliton, who’s the league’s best scorer with 8 goals. And Krylia were trying to find the head of their 2.2-meter-tall forward Jan Koller.
But it was other players who allowed the visitors take the lead at the 28-minute mark. A clever one-two with Jiri Jarosik let Timofev Kalachev curve a great ball right into the upper corner of Spartak’s goals, with keeper Soslan Dzhanaev having no chance.
The Muscovites’ coach Valery Karpin introduced winger Denis Boyarintsev after the break, and Spartak started pushing for an equalizer when the game resumed.
One of their first attacks saw Welliton hitting the post. And the hosts slotted one a few minutes later, but Vladimir Bystrov’s goal was annulled due to a handball, which seemed to be quite a doubtful decision by the referee.
But Bystrov, eventually, put his name on the scoreboard delivering a real masterpiece minutes before the final whistle. The Russian international dribbled past three defenders before shooting past Samara’s keeper Eduardo Lobos.
The result means Spartak are now 3 points behind Rubin Kazan, with 24 points. Krylia Sovietov are also among the leaders, with 21 points.
Yury Semin is still looking for his first win with Lokomotiv. The Muscovites have played their second draw in two matches under their new-old coach.
They were one down, thanks to a header from Amkar’s Predrag Sikimić in the middle of the second half. But a powerful penalty shot from Russian international Dmitry Sychev salvaged a draw for Loko.
Bottom sides Tom and Khimki have clashed in Tomsk, with the home team leaving no chance for their rivals.
The Siberians never gave up playing, despite their dire financial situation, with coaches and players not having been paid since March, and now when they finale found the sponsors they started to look even better.
Tom scored two goals in each half, with Valery Klimov putting his name on the scoreboard twice, strengthening their position in the table.
While Khimki continue to struggle. The Moscow Region side occupies the last spot, with just 7 points after 14 games.
An emphatic victory for FC Moscow has moved them up to 2nd place, just a point behind league leaders Rubin.
After conceding an early goal, Edgaras ÄŒesnauskis brought the home side level, with a penalty kick at the 23-minute mark.
In the second half, Aleksanr Samedov was left unmarked on a free kick and was ruthless with his finish to make it 2-1.
In the 71st minute, the Muscovites won a corner kick. A neat flick-on allowed Branislav Krunić to head in FC Moscow’s third.
Chesnauskis sealed the win with 10 minutes to go with his second goal of the night. A brilliant left-footer completing the 4-1 scoreline that moves Miodrag Bozhovich's men up to 2nd place in the table.
The match nearly ended in a massive brawl as the St Peterburgers demanded a penalty for a hand ball in the Grozny box in the dying seconds.