Leaders falter in Russia

The Russian Premier League took a dramatic turn this weekend with home defeats for the top two FC Torpedo Moskva and FC Zenit St. Peterburg leaving the top five separated by just three points.

Olic winner
Leaders Torpedo fell 1-0 to reigning champions PFC CSKA Moskva on Saturday, the visitors inspired by returning coach Valeri Gazzaev, who replaced Artur Jorge this week. Croatian international striker Ivica Olic gave CSKA the lead on 39 minutes, and although the forward hit the post from the penalty spot in the second half, his side held on to move within one win of Torpedo, although they remain fifth.

Lokomotiv victory
Zenit, a point behind Torpedo, were beaten 2-0 by third-placed FC Lokomotiv Moskva at a sold-out Petrovskiy stadium. Dmitri Loskov set up Dmitri Sychev to give the visitors a 17th-minute lead, and although Zenit dominated the match, they could not level and in injury time Ruslan Pimenov confirmed the victory for Lokomotiv with the clinching goal.

Poskus double
Level on points with both Lokomotiv and CSKA are FC Krylya Sovetov Samara, in fourth. They kept the pressure on the leaders by beating FC Kuban Krasnodar 2-1. Lithuania striker Robertas Poskus scored either side of half-time to take his tally to six goals in five games, as Kuban missed the chance to overtake third-bottom side FC Spartak Moskva, who were in UEFA Intertoto Cup action.

Dinamo inspired
Like city rivals CSKA, FC Dinamo Moskva were inspired to a 1-0 victory by a new coach. Viktor Bondarenko, who replaced Jaroslav Hrebik, saw his new team overcome FC Alania Vladikavkaz and more up to eleventh thanks to a Sergei Yashin goal.

Sunday draws
Both of Sunday's games ended in 1-1 draws. FC Amkar Perm finished level with FC Saturn Mosvkoskaya Oblast while FC Rubin Kazan were held at home by bottom-placed SC Rotor Volgograd.