Russia round-up: CSKA march on

PFC CSKA Moskva have opened a seven-point gap at the top of the Russian Premier-Liga after winning their derby against FC Torpedo-Metallurg Moskva 1-0, while FC Dinamo Moskva lost 2-1 to FC Spartak Moskva.

Tight test
In a tight test against relegation-threatened Torpedo-Metallurg, CSKA captain Sergei Semak scored on 72 minutes to leave the second-bottom side five points adrift in the drop zone - and the leaders in with a strong chance of their first post-Soviet Russian championship. They missed out in a play-off against FC Lokomotiv Moskva last season.

Smirnov shot
Spartak remain in the bottom half after a disappointing start to the season, but their victory against Dinamo moves them up to tenth. Defender Yuri Kovtun scored for the third game running to put Spartak in front three minutes before half-time, only for Eduard Korchagin to equalise immediately. However, Dmitri Smirnov recorded the winning goal on 50 minutes at Spartak's temporary Luzhniki stadium home - an arena in which Dinamo are without victory in 19 years.

Saturn's new high
Dinamo's defeat allowed FC Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast to leapfrog the capital club and move to second place - the highest position they have held in the league - as they beat FC Chernomorets Krasnodarskiy Kray 2-0. Nicolas Pavlovic was the hero of the night for Saturn, as he opened the scoring on 64 minutes, and then set up Petr Bystrov for the second goal near the end.

Lokomotiv frustration
Defending champions Lokomotiv are now 13th after being held 0-0 by FC Rostov, for whom South African international Matthew Booth was in fine form. Elsewhere, FC Krylya Sovetov Samara are fourth after beating FC Spartak-Alania Vladikavkaz 3-0, and FC Torpedo Moskva overcame bottom side FC Uralan Elista by the same scorelline. FC Shinnik Yaroslavl impressed in another 3-0 game, their victory against FC Zenit St. Peterburg, while SC Rotor Volgograd beat FC Rubin Kazan 3-1.