Spartak claim 10th Russian title

AFP, MOSCOW: Spartak Moscow claimed their record 10th Russian title on Sunday after 10-man Zenit St Petersburg suffered a 1-0 home defeat against Terek Grozny.
The result left Spartak, winning their first title since 2001, 10 points clear of second-placed city rivals CSKA with just three matches remaining. Zenit sit third one point further back.
“It's an unbelievable feeling. I almost started to cry when it happened,” Spartak manager Massimo Carrera told Russian TV adding that he was set to stay at Spartak for the next season.
“I'd like to thank Spartak fans and all those who believed in us with this great success.”
Zenit started in lively style pinning Terek back from the kick-off but lack of accuracy in front of the net and good goalkeeping by Yevgeny Gorodov left the 30,000 crowd at St Petersburg's new stadium frustrated.
After the break Zenit midfielder Oleg Shatov squandered two clear chances within a minute.
Terek soon made Zenit pay. Senegalese striker Ablaye M'bengue put them into the lead in the 65th minute when he redirected a freekick by Brazilian Rodolfo from the left into the net.
Zenit's slim hopes of saving the day went up in smoke after Shatov was sent off for a professional foul in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Spartak claim 10th Russian title

AFP, MOSCOW: Spartak Moscow claimed their record 10th Russian title on Sunday after 10-man Zenit St Petersburg suffered a 1-0 home defeat against Terek Grozny. The result left Spartak, winning their first title since 2001, 10 points clear of second-placed city rivals CSKA with just three matches remaining. Zenit sit third one point further back. Its an unbelievable feeling. I almost started to cry when it happened, Spartak manager Massimo Carrera told Russian TV adding that he was set to stay at Spartak for the next season. Id like to thank Spartak fans and all those who believed in us with this great success. Zenit started in lively style pinning Terek back from the kick-off but lack of accuracy in front of the net and good goalkeeping by Yevgeny Gorodov left the 30,000 crowd at St Petersburgs new stadium frustrated. After the break Zenit midfielder Oleg Shatov squandered two clear chances within a minute. Terek soon made Zenit pay. Senegalese striker Ablaye Mbengue put them into the lead in the 65th minute when he redirected a freekick by Brazilian Rodolfo from the left into the net. Zenits slim hopes of saving the day went up in smoke after Shatov was sent off for a professional foul in the sixth minute of stoppage time.