Ukraine round-up: Shakhtar secure important win

FC Shakhtar Donetsk moved a step closer to the Ukrainian Premier League title with a 2-0 win at home to fellow championship challengers FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.

Bielik boost
Olexiy Bielik's impressive recent form contined as he scored both his side's goals, first heading a cross into the net seven minutes before half-time and then scoring from 35 metres with a well-placed lob two minutes before the hour.

Dynamo up to second
Dnipro dropped to third place following the setback, with FC Dynamo Kyiv returning to second position with another 2-0 home victory, defeating bottom side FC Chornomorets Odesa. Brazilian striker Diogo Rincón opened the scoring, finishing off a quick counterattack after 26 minutes, before midfield player Jerko Leko doubled the advantage eleven minutes after half-time. The win moved Dynamo to within seven points of Shakhtar.

Surprise setback
Fourth-placed FC Arsenal Kyiv suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat at FC Tavriya Simferopol, as Brazilian forward Edmar scored the winning goal with five minutes remaining. Meanwhile, FC Metalurh Donetsk continued their winning run with a 2-0 victory at FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih, with new signings Ilia Stolica and Boban Grncarov both finding the net.
 
Two for Aliyev
Azerbaijan international striker Samir Aliyev scored both goals in FC Volyn Lutsk's 2-1 home win against FC Ilyichevets Mariupil, while two Nigerian players, Harrison Omoko and Jack Molongo, scored a goal each to help FC Vorskla Poltava to a 2-1 home win against FC Polihraftekhnica Olexandriya.
 
Precious points
FC Metalurh Zaporizhya secured a 2-0 victory at FC Metalist Kharkiv, while on Monday, FC Obolon Kyiv secured an important three points with a 2-1 defeat of FC Karpaty Lviv.