Zenit secure Russian crown in style

FC Zenit St Petersburg's 5-0 defeat of FC Rostov, combined with PFC CSKA Moskva's 1-1 draw at FC Spartak Nalchik, ensured Luciano Spalletti's side of their first Russian Premier League title since 2007.

CSKA gave themselves a glimmer of hope when they beat Zenit 3-1 on Wednesday, but it took just four days for the long-time pacesetters to make amends. While CSKA were pegged back in Nalchik by Arsen Goshokov's 88th-minute strike, Zenit made no mistake on home turf to spark celebrations at the Petrovsky Stadium.

Danko Lazović gave Zenit the lead from the penalty spot on 40 minutes before Sergei Semak (75) and Aleksandr Kerzhakov (82) put the result beyond doubt. Substitute Aleksandr Bukharov still had time for a brace of his own with two late goals. "Of course it is great to win in our home town," said Kerzhakov. "We had to do this today. We are also very grateful to the Nalchik players for their help. Everything depended on us but it was nice to get support from them."

With 66 points to their name and two matches remaining, Zenit have an unassailable eight-point lead over CSKA – with FC Rubin Kazan a further two adrift in third – and can therefore celebrate the second Russian league crown in their history.