Spartak Moscow 5-1 Rostov

Spartak had to win against Rostov in order to keep up the pressure on current leaders Rubin, following the reigning champion’s victory over Krylya Sovetov on Saturday.

The Muscovites, however, have been in good form lately, winning their last four and scoring 12 goals in the process, and they fancied their chances against the Rostov side, who have had just one win in their last six games.

The opening 15 minutes was quiet, with both sides creating a couple of half-chances.

Yet eighteen minutes into the game, the hosts took the lead almost out of nowhere thanks to a piece of individual brilliance from Alex. The Brazilian chipped the keeper to score his ninth of the campaign, and possibly the goal of the season.

This was just the start for Spartak. who were hoping to try and close the gap on the current leaders. Five minutes before the half time break, the home side made it 2-0. Substitute Pavel Yakovlev beat the offside trap and slotted the ball past Mandrykin to put Spartak in control.

Rostov created nothing in the first 45 minutes, but six minutes into the second half, they pulled a goal back. The home side's defence failed to deal with a corner, and Aleksandr Gatskan finished well to bring his side right back into the game, to the delight of the visitor’s small band of devotees.

Spartak would restore their two goal advantage on the hour mark. Alex was once again the instigator, as the Brazilian hit a fine effort from almost 30 meters.

Minutes later, Zhanno Ananidze made it 4-1. The 18-year-old Georgian, who's already starting to attract interest from top clubs from around Europe, supplied a very cool finish to seal the points for the home side.

At 82 minutes, the Muscovites completed the rout with Welliton, who notched up his 20th goal in just 24 games.

Tom 1-3 Lokomotiv

Elsewhere on the day Lokomotiv kept in the hunt for European football next season with a 3-1 win away to FC Tom.

The railway boys struck first after 11 minutes. Russian international Dmitry Sychev fired home from the spot after Peter Odemwingie was adjudged to have been fouled.

The goal seemed to stir the home side into action, and matters were duly leveled 22 minutes in through the assistance of Goran Maznov.
But Loko, with a UEFA Cup place on their minds, weren’t to be denied. Sychev rose to the occasion with a scorcher just after the half hour mark

The win was wrapped up moments after the interval after Odemwingie ghosted in behind the Tom defense to score despite calls for off side.

FC Moscow 1-0 Zenit

Both sides needed a win to maintain their ambitions for the Champions League next season. The pressure was on Zenit, as third place this season would be the least acceptable result for their management.

The game saw a quiet opening, with neither side able to produce some good ball movement.

It was the beginning of the second half when the fans eventually witnessed a scoring opportunity. Aleksandr Samedov's effort was denied by Vyacheslav Malafeev.

Throughout the match, however, it was got tougher and tougher to threaten goal because of a strong snowfall.

The sides looked tired and it seemed it would stay a goalless draw, but with the final whistle looming, FC Moscow stole all three points.

Nikolas Lomberts failed to clear the cross, and Aleksandr Sheshukov sent his shot low into the bottom corner, giving the Muscovites a vital victory.

“It was a very important game. We were quite lucky, but overall we deserved a win today. I don't know whether we've got enough quality to finish the season in third. At the moment, I just don't think about it. But I want us to finish as high in the table as possible,” said FC Moscow manager Miodrag Bozhovic

FC Moscow are now level on points with Zenit, but the St. Petersburg club hold a better goal difference, which leaves them favourites in the race for a Champions League spot.