Czech Republic round-up: Derby success for Sparta

Sparta so strong
The Prague derby between these two UEFA Cup hopefuls was a one-sided affair, the home team underlining their dominance with goals either side of half-time from Jirí Jarosík and Michal Pospísil.

Poborský assists
Karel Poborský was the creator of both, assisting Jarosík as he struck from outside the area on 34 minutes, then setting up Pospísil moments after the restart. Sparta keeper Jaromír Blazek's clean sheet was never in doubt as Viktoria fell to a ninth straight defeat at the Letná stadium.

Slavia stymied
Meanwhile, SK Slavia Praha gave up second place to FC Slovan Liberec after a 1-1 draw at FC Baník Ostrava today. The hosts took an early lead through Mario Licka but lost their 100 per cent home record after a Patrik Gedeon shot deflected past the Baník keeper.

Slovan go second
Slovan made the worst possible start at home to FK Chmel Blšany - yet recovered from Radek Cízek's third-minute strike for the visitors to win 3-1. Miroslav Slepicka levelled matters, and after Jakub Bures's dismissal the champions scored second-half goals through Tomás Zápotocný and Baffour Gyan.

Early goals
FK Teplice beat FC Príbram thanks to two goals inside the first 12 minutes from Dusan Tesarík and Michal Kolomazník. But the game between CU Bohemians Praha and SK Sigma Olomouc ended in stalemate after Bohemians striker Lukás Hartig was denied by the woodwork in the closing stages.

Ceské revival
SK Ceské Budéjovice ended a run of five straight defeats by crushing FK Jablonec 97 4-1. Teenager Martin Latka scored twice with David Lafata and Lumír Sedlácek registering a goal apiece as Ceské upset the fifth-placed club.

Winning start
Elsewhere, new 1. FC Synot coach Radek Rabušic made a winning start with a 3-1 success against FC Zlín - Jirí Kowalík hitting a hat-trick. Bottom side SK Hradec Králové remained the only team without win, however, after a goalless draw at 1. FC Brno.