Putin Cup - Match Day 5 Update

With group leaders Dynamo having a night off it was an opportunity for the chasing pack to close in and as it turned out tonight’s results could hardly have left this group any more finely balanced at the half way point.

Zenit  0  v 1  CSKA Moscow

Zenits poor form in the competition continued as their inability to hit the back of the net again cost them dearly as CSKA took the opportunity to nick all three points and go top of the table with a 55^th minute strike from Fabra.

Without a point and with only one goal to show from their four outings in the Cup Zenit manager Hassan knows his sides chances of progressing in the tournament have gone from slim to anorexic whilst his opposite number Smith will be grateful of building a points cushion prior to their week off from the action.

Lokomotiv Moscow  2 v 1  Spartak Moscow

Lokomotiv swapped table position with Spartak after edging a tight Moscow derby. All the goals came in the first half with Soldado (19) and Corluka (33) scoring for the hosts before Movsisyan (38) replied for the visitors.

Despite the defeat Spartak chief Houston can take comfort from his side still being in contention to progress whilst Lokomotiv supremo Owen will go in to their derby with Dynamo next week knowing a victory will put them at the top of the table with CSKA not being in action.

Match Day 5 Table	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
CSKA Moscow	4	3	0	1	4	2	2	9
Lokomotiv Moscow	4	2	1	1	4	2	2	7
Dynamo Moscow	4	2	1	1	3	2	1	7
Spartak Moscow	4	2	0	2	4	4	0	6
Zenit St Petersburg	4	0	0	4	1	6	-5	0

Match Day 6 Fixtures - Weds 30th March

Lokomotiv Moscow  v  Dynamo Moscow

Zenit                          v  Spartak Moscow