Rostov’s draw against Anzhi provided Zenit with a chance to narrow the point difference from the top, where CSKA moved back into, after the emphatic 7-1 against Mordovia. But Witsel and co had to win in Perm first.
Half an hour into game play and the two keepers were mere spectators as both teams didn’t produce any serious threat for an opening goal. Until the 30′ minute and the usual suspect; Artem Dzyuba. Hulk’s through pass broke Perm’s defence bringing Shatov into a tet-a-tet with Selikhov and the Russian’s lob was denied by the woodwork, but Artem was there to finish the job and write the 0-1 for Zenit while reaching 100 career goals. Axel Witsel’s left shot (wide) was the final chance for a poor first half from both clubs.
Amkar pushed for the equalizer but defence reacted great at all times along with Lodygin being a safety under the posts. Frustration was kicking in for Perm as time was passing especially after Kokorin’s first goal (header) with the Blue-White-Sky blues shirt at the 85′ minute (10 bookings total, 8 for Amkar).
Russian championship standings
1. CSKA Moscow 46
2. FC Rostov 45
3. Zenit St. Petersburg 43
4. Lokomotiv Moscow* 41
Lokomotiv has one game less
