Kokorin strike keeps Zenit unbeaten

AFP, MOSCOW: Russian Premier League leaders Zenit St Petersburg continued their unbeaten start to the season under Roberto Mancini with a 1-0 win at Amkar Perm on Sunday.

Alexander Kokorin's goal gave Zenit a hardfought win, which keeps them top of the early table, three points clear of Lokomotiv Moscow, who beat champions and city rivals Spartak 4-3 on Saturday.

Rostov, who drew 0-0 with Krasnodar, sit third, two points further back.

Zenit, who suffered a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Europa League play-off at Dutch side Utrecht in midweek, looked rusty in the first half and struggled to create many chances.

After the interval, Zenit moved up a gear though and Kokorin turned in Dmitry Poloz's pass just after the hour mark to score his sixth goal of the season.

“It was a hard match,” said Zenit coach Mancini. “In the first half Amkar played really well, while we obviously lacked speed and concentration.

“During the break I asked my players to move faster and it paid off.”

Kokorin strike keeps Zenit unbeaten

AFP, MOSCOW: Russian Premier League leaders Zenit St Petersburg continued their unbeaten start to the season under Roberto Mancini with a 1-0 win at Amkar Perm on Sunday. Alexander Kokorins goal gave Zenit a hardfought win, which keeps them top of the early table, three points clear of Lokomotiv Moscow, who beat champions and city rivals Spartak 4-3 on Saturday. Rostov, who drew 0-0 with Krasnodar, sit third, two points further back. Zenit, who suffered a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Europa League play-off at Dutch side Utrecht in midweek, looked rusty in the first half and struggled to create many chances. After the interval, Zenit moved up a gear though and Kokorin turned in Dmitry Polozs pass just after the hour mark to score his sixth goal of the season. It was a hard match, said Zenit coach Mancini. In the first half Amkar played really well, while we obviously lacked speed and concentration. During the break I asked my players to move faster and it paid off.