Zenit grabs 2-1 win over Man U

30 August, 2008, 17:49

Russian football club Zenit St Petersburg are celebrating, after claiming the famous scalp of Manchester United in the Super Cup final in Monaco. They won 2-1. The annual showpiece game pits the winner of the UEFA Cup ag

“This is a great step forward for Russian soccer,” said Zenit goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeyev. “This match was important for the whole of Russia.”

The 2007 Russian champions started the brighter, and deservedly took the lead on the stroke of half-time, Pavel Pogrebnyak heading home from a corner.

The second-half saw Arshavin make an appearance, but it was Dani who stole the show, slicing through the United defense for a fine solo goal on the stroke of the hour.

Manchester came back, and former Spartak Moscow defender Nemanja Vidic slammed home a close range shot in the 73rd minute.

Zenit did more than hold on for victory though, and Dani could have had a third in the dying minutes after a fine run and one-two with Arshavin.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has congratulated the Russian team on their success.

Manchester United won the Champions League in Moscow last May, a week after Zenit had claimed the UEFA Cup in the Red Devils' hometown.

“Deal for Arshavin closed”

Roman Pavlyuchenko looks set to join English Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspur, but fellow Russian international Andrey Arshavin is unlikely to be joining him.

Russia’s coach, Dick Advocaat, said after the UEFA Super Cup final that Arshavin is likely to stay with the St. Petersburg club for the time being.

Advocaat said that unless Spurs significantly increase their bid for Arshavin, that particular deal is dead.

“They did not offer the 22 million pounds that we want. They only offered 16 million pounds and, with respect, Andrey Arshavin is worth more than 16 million pounds,” he said.