CSKA-Zenit stalemate benefits leaders Spartak

MOSCOW: Pontus Wernbloom was sent-off as CSKA Moscow had to settle for a goalless draw with Zenit St Petersburg on Saturday that hit both side’s title hopes.

Champions CSKA are now seven points behind city rivals and leaders Spartak Moscow, while second-placed Zenit are four points off the pace.

Spartak will have the chance to stretch their lead away to Krasnodar on Sunday.

“We dominated the play and had chances to score before we were reduced to 10 men,” CSKA manager Viktor Gancharenko said.

“But after Wernbloom was sent off the play calmed down and the draw now seems to be the most fair result.”

In an opening period with little in the way of a goalmouth action, CSKA’s only meaningful chance came in the 31st minute when Nigerian striker Aaron Olanare failed to convert a free header from seven yards out.

After the interval the Red Army side, spurred by a capacity 30,000 crowd, poured forward, pinning the visitors back.

But it was Zenit’s Brazilian midfielder Mauricio, who had the best chance to open the score in the 58th minute, only to see 22-yard shot crash back off the woodwork.

With 20 minutes to go, Sweden’s Wernbloom was given his marching orders but Zenit could not capitalise on their numerical advantage.

“It was a clash of two even and strong opponents,” Zenit manager Mircea Lucescu said.

“It’s a pity that we missed our chances to score in the late stages of the match. But in general I’m pleased with a point that we’ve gained here.”

Earlier on Saturday, Orenburg, who won promotion to Premier League last season, beat Arsenal Tula 3-0 courtesy of a brace from Bulgarian midfielder Blagoy Georgiev and a goal by midfielder Roman Vorobyov. - AFP