Lokomotiv time it just right

By Pavle Gognidze

FC Lokomotiv Moskva's unexpected title triumph capped one of the most intriguing seasons so far in the Russian Premier League.

Late burst
Two years after their first title success, Lokomotiv pipped defending champions PFC CSKA Moskva by just one point having not led until after the penultimate round. CSKA were held to a 0-0 draw at home by FC Dinamo Moskva that day, while Lokomotiv beat FC Torpedo Moskva 3-1.

Nerve held
Therefore, CSKA's closing 4-1 victory at FC Moskva was not enough to overhaul Lokomotiv, who defeated FC Shinnik Yaroslav 2-0 with goals from Dmitri Sychev and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, named the best young player in the division. Sychev scored 15 goals, banishing the memory of his disappointing spell at Olympique de Marseille.

Vital wins
Yuri Semin's men emerged as champions mainly due to an excellent record against key rivals - defeating CSKA home and away - and the consistent form of, among others, Bilyaletdinov and Malkhaz Asatiani, switched back into defence after Sergei Ignashevitch's move to CSKA.

CSKA changes
CSKA sacked Portuguese coach Artur Jorge after an inconsistent start and Gazzaev - who masterminded their 2003 triumph – returned but neither he nor expensive acquisitions Daniel Carvalho and Vágner Love could hold off Lokomotiv. Unless they win at Paris Saint-Germain FC on Tuesday to stay in UEFA Champions League contention, they are set for UEFA Cup football next year along with third-placed FC Krylya Sovetov Samara.

Zenit disappointment
Long-time leaders FC Zenit St. Peterburg will be bitterly disappointed after dropping out of the top three following a 3-2 home defeat by FC Moskva in their penultimate match. Vlastimil Petrzela's team impressed with their adventurous style, however, and striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov scored a league-leading 18 goals.

Duo wait
In the bottom two places were SC Rotor Volgograd and FC Kuban Krasnodar, but they could be reprieved if the Russian Football Union votes to extend the top flight from 16 to 18 teams this month. Russian Cup holders FC Terek Grozny and FC Tom Tomsk were promoted.

Coaching experiments
The season was marked by the arrival of a number of foreign coaches - few of whom settled. Jorge came and went from CSKA, Nevio Scala made way for former Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs at FC Spartak Moskva, Jaroslav Hrebik was sacked from Dinamo, while Roland Courbis left FC Alania Vladikavkaz. Starkovs and Petrzela are the only survivors.