Putin Cup - Match Day 8 Update

With only two games left the Putin Cup is getting hotter than a Russian female shot putters under crackers and nearly has hairy, all is to play for with nothing yet, a bit like the contents of a Russian female shot putters under crackers !!!

Zenit  0  v  2  Lokomotiv Moscow

Zenit were looking to turn their improved form into consolation points whilst Loko were hoping to get back to winning ways after their week off from the action.

In a game with lots of huff but little puff the result was decided by goals at either end of the allotted 90.

Loko struck early when in the 9^th minute Samedov crossed for Zurutza to head past Lodygin but had to wait until the 88^th minute to finally settle things when Samedov turned provider for a carbon copy of his earlier goal with Granqvist this time applying the finishing touch.

Zenit Boss Hassan will be disappointed that his side didn’t show more in this fixture but is surely using them now as practise games whilst Loko Supremo Owen will be delighted to have made ground on Spartak and be breathing down the neck of Dynamo with a game in hand.

CSKA Moscow  0  v  1  Dynamo Moscow

Second met third in this Moscow derby which may go a long way to deciding if either of these two clubs will get their hands on the Putin Cup.

In a fairly evenly balanced encounter which hosts CSKA edged in terms of possession and goal scoring opportunities it was the visitors who were the only side to manage to convert when on 64 minutes Ari running onto a through ball from Ionov unleashed a fearsome drive from fully 25 yards that Valdes could do nothing about but admire.

Benteke had the only opportunity to make it all square 2 minutes later but after being wrong footed Victor did well to recover and save with his feet.

CSKA Manager Smith will be bitterly disappointed that his side couldn’t turn their chances into goals whilst opposite number Razzaque will just be glad to get another 3 points on the board to keep his side in pole position to take the trophy.

Match Day 8 Table	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
Dynamo Moscow	7	4	2	1	7	3	4	14
Spartak Moscow	6	4	0	2	8	6	2	12
Lokomotiv Moscow	6	3	2	1	6	2	4	11
CSKA Moscow	6	3	0	3	4	4	0	9
Zenit St Petersburg	7	0	0	7	5	14	-9	0

Match Day 9 Fixtures – Weds 20^th April

Dynamo Moscow  v Spartak Moscow

Lokomotiv Moscow  v  CSKA Moscow