Russia round-up: Sychev the hero for Spartak

A last-minute goal by Dmitri Sychev earned champions Spartak Moscow a 3-3 draw against FC Anzhi Makhachkala in the Russian Premier-Liga on Sunday.

Half-time advantage
Anzhi striker Budun Budunov put the home side ahead with a 20th-minute strike, but Russian internationals Yegor Titov and Vladimir Beschastnykh gave Moscow a 2-1 lead with goals before the interval. However, Anzhi would not give up, scoring two goals after the break to the delight of the partisan home crowd.

Late drama
As local fans were ready to celebrate a much needed victory, Sychev saved Spartak from a second consecutive defeat in the last minute of injury time. Last week, Spartak were beaten 2-1 by city rivals FC Lokomotiv Moscow. The draw lifted Spartak to fourth place on eight points from five matches, but they remain seven points behind runaway leaders CSKA Moscow.

Torpedo held by newcomers
In the day's other martch, FC Torpedo Moscow threw away a 2-0 half-time lead and had to settle for a 2-2 draw against newcomers Uralan Elista. Vladimir Leonchenko scored from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute and Igor Semshov added a second eleven minutes later to give the home side a comfortable two-goal cushion at the interval.

Valuable point for Uralan
But Uralan fought back with goals from Russian international Igor Chugainov and Zurab Tsyklauri in the last 20 minutes to earn a valuable point, lifting them off the bottom of the table. Torpedo climbed to fifth on eight points, behind Spartak on goal difference.