Putin Cup - Match Day 2 Reports

CSKA Moskva 1 – 2 Spartak Moskva

Spartak maintained their 100% record in the Putin Cup leaving CSKA still awaiting their first points.

The visitors took the lead on 23 minutes when Tasci volleyed home a ball from Promes past a bewildered Valdes....

The hosts however thought they had levelled 4 minutes later when Benteke fired in only to find the assistants flag telling the story that the Belgian was marginally offside when he received the ball from Topal.

CSKA didn’t have to wait long for parity however when a minute later Emenike slid the ball under the advancing Alvarado after being put through by Ruiz.

That’s how it remained at half time and in the second half both teams appeared content to sit back and share the spoils however Tino Costa had other ideas, on 53 minutes he sprung the offside trap moving on to a ball played over the top by Movsisyan to hit an early long range effort that left Valdes clawing at thin air.

Ruiz thought he had levelled 5 minutes later when an audacious chip was finger tipped over the bar by Alvarado.

But it was Spartak who had the better of the later exchanges coming close through both Costa and Movsisyan going close.

Whilst Sir Walt will have walked away from this encounter feeling his side could have sneaked a point Simon Houston will believe his side got what they deserved from the game and know his team now sit clear at the top of the table.

Zenit 1 – 2 Dynamo Moskva

Zenit continued their unhappy start to the Putin Cup, whilst having the lions share of possession they failed to turn this into goal scoring opportunities and paid the price.

The hosts were undone on 11 minutes when a free kick conceded on the edge of the area was struck exquisitely by Valbuena who curled the ball around the wall and inside the post leaving Lodgyin in the Zenit goal completely helpless.

The woodwork spared Zenit from going 2 behind when this time from open play Valbuena floated a ball over and beyond Lodgyin only to see hit strike the top of the bar.

Dynamo responded on 35 minutes by showing they could also convert from set pieces, this time Perez’s free kick was more brute power than finesse has he rifled the ball past a despairing a Victor.

As the teams were contemplating their half time refreshments Damari moved onto a ball from Ari and clipped the ball over the onrushing Lodygin.

The second half was evenly balanced with Ari being denied on 2 occasions by Lodygin with Victor in the visitors goal being called into action to deny Faizulin an equaliser.

Zenit gaffer Libaan Hassan will be concerned at his teams poor start to the competition whilst rival boss Sherief Razzaque will be content at the clear distance opened up to the chasing pack below as they pursue the pace setters Spartak.