Spartak off the mark with Krasnodar win

MOSCOW: Russia’s reigning champions Spartak Moscow chalked up their first win of the new season beating the visitors Krasnodar 2-0 at Moscow’s Otkrytie Arena on Monday.

A precise spot-kick by Dutchman Quincy Promes and a well-struck free-kick by Brazilian midfielder Fernando set defending champions on their way to a well-deserved win.

The result lifted 10-time Russian champions Spartak into sixth, level on five points with Ural Yekaterinburg and Ufa, four behind the lead trio -- Lokomotiv Moscow, Zenit St Petersburg and Akhmat Grozny.

“It was a deserved win in a very difficult match against really good opponents,” Spartak winger Alexander Samediv said.

“After drawing the first two Premier League matches we just had no right to lose points any more. Luckily we did everything right today.”

Spartak began testing the visiting defence from the kickoff but they had to wait until the 38th minute for the opening goal, which Promes scored from the spot after Krasnodar fouled Ze Luis in the area.

Fernando added his goal with a powerful free-kick from 35 yards out in first-half stoppage time.

After the break Krasnodar moved up a gear and poured forwards in attack to try and reduce the arrears but to no avail as Spartak defended stoutly threatening back on the counter-attacks and confidently protecting their lead.

“The result looks fair as we’ve failed to find the net squandering all of our chances today,” Krasnodar manager Igor Shalimov said.

“After Spartak grabbed the lead they sat back and kept the play under complete control.” – AFP