Russia round-up: CSKA edge further ahead

PFC CSKA Moskva increased their lead at the top of the Premier-Liga to five points with a 1-0 victory over FC Spartak-Alania Vladikavkaz, as FC Dinamo Moskva dropped points at home against FC Rubin Kazan.

Popov on target
Dinamo were held to a goalless draw in Moscow, while CSKA's visit to Spartak-Alania yielded three points, Denis Popov taking advantage of a mistake by goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov to score the only goal of the game.

Bright start for Ivanov
New FC Torpedo-Metallurg Moskva coach Valentin Ivanov made a winning start against FC Krylya Sovetov Samara, the basement club easing to a 3-0 victory over their opponents. Ukrainian striker Roman Monarev was the hero for Torpedo-Metallurg, scoring an impressive hat-trick to cap a superb day for Ivanov.

Kushev strike
Torpedo-Metallurg's victory means that FC Uralan Elista are now the only club in the league without a win after nine rounds of matches. FC Shinnik Yaroslavl were their latest conquerors, running out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Dmitri Khomukha and Martin Kushev.

Lokomotiv back on track
Meanwhile, champions FC Lokomotiv Moskva continued to show signs of improvement following their disastrous start to the season. A 5-2 away victory against FC Chernomorets Krasnodarskiy Kray came courtesy of a double from Dmitri Loskov and further goals by Marat Izmailov, Winston Parks and Narvik Sirkhaev. Alexander Prizetko and Oleg Terekhin scored for the hosts.
 
Zenit find form
FC Zenit St. Peterburg bounced back from last week's 7-1 defeat at the hands of Dinamo to take all three points with a single-goal win against FC Torpedo Moskva. Torpedo hit the post twice, before Zenit's Lukaš Hartig made the most of an error by goalkeeper Dmitri Borodin to score his first goal in the league.
 
Spartak held
FC Spartak Moskva are yet to find their best form and only managed a 1-1 draw against SC Rotor Volgograd. Oleg Trifonov put Rotor in front on the half-hour mark but Roman Pavlyuchenko scored against his former club on 79 minutes to earn a point for Spartak. Elsewhere, FC Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast had goals from Petr Bystrov and Alexei Medvedev to thank as they beat FC Rostov 2-1, Essau Kanyenda scoring a consolation for Rostov.