Ukraine round-up: Shakhtar back with a bang

FC Shakhtar Donetsk increased their advantage at the top of the Ukrainian Premier League with a 1-0 victory at FC Metalist Kharkiv.

Bielyk on target
In snowy conditions that made life difficult for both sets of players, Ukrainian Under-21 international striker Olexiy Bielyk scored the only goal of the game after 50 minutes, converting midfield player Anatoly Tymoschuk's free-kick.

Challengers slip up
The win extended Shakhtar’s lead to five points, as closest challengers FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk drew 2-2 with FC Dynamo Kyiv. Goran Gavrancic gave the away side th lead, but two goals in four second-half minutes from Oleh Venhlynsky turned the match on its head, before Diogo Rincón salvaged a draw for Dynamo thirteen minutes from time.

Goalless draw
Third-placed FC Arsenal Kyiv were also held, drawing 0-0 at home to FC Metalurh Zaporizhya, while FC Metalurh Donetsk and bottom side FC Chornomorets Odesa both enjoyed 2-0 wins. Goals from Georgi Demetradze and Ilia Stolica secured three points for Metalurh against FC Vorskla Poltava, while Chornomorets surprisingly overcame sixth-placed FC Volyn Lutsk thanks to two quick goals midway through the second half from Igor Opra and Kosirin.

Home win
FC Metalurh Mariupil also enjoyed a 2-0 win at home to FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih thanks to goals in either half from Alexander Maltsev and Alexander Rikun, while FC Karpaty Lviv defeated FC Tavriya Simferopol 3-1 and FC Polihraftechnica Olexandriya were 1-0 winners against FC Obolon Kyiv.