Oper keeps Torpedo on course

FC Torpedo Moskva coasted into the summer break as Russian Premier-Liga leaders on Sunday after beating SC Rotor Volgograd 1-0, in one of six games to be settled by a solitary goal.

Kerzhakov strikes
Torpedo had Estonian international Andres Oper to thank for their goal, scored 20 minutes from time, while second-placed FC Zenit St Peterburg kept up the pressure with a single-goal victory against FC Kuban Krasnodar secured by Alexander Kerzhakov's ninth strike of the season.
 
Karyaka crucial
PFC CSKA Moskva and FC Lokomotiv Moskva both dropped points to damage their pursuit of the top two. The Army Men could not unlock the defences of FC Amkar Perm in a goalless draw away from home, while Lokomotiv suffered a second defeat in a row at FC Krylya Sovetov Samara, as Premier-Liga top scorer and Russia midfield player Andrey Karyaka scored his 12th goal in as many games to seal the win.

Sixth defeat
For the first time in 59 years, FC Spartak Moskva suffered a sixth successive defeat when they were beaten at home by FC Alania Vladikavkaz. Belarussian international Vladimir Korytko scored the only goal to seal Spartak's worst run since 1945. Spartak will travel to city rivals Lokomotiv bidding to improve their fortunes when the league resumes on 3 July.

Bairamov pair
Elsewhere, two goals from Vladimir Bairamov and one from Richard Dostalek handed FC Rubin Kazan a 3-0 home victory against FC Torpedo-Metallurg Moskva, while FC Shinnik Yaroslavl beat visitors FC Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast 1-0 and FC Rostov recorded the same scoreline at FC Dinamo Moskva.