CSKA stay top despite four-goal defeat

Russian Premier League leaders CSKA Moscow crashed to a 4-1 defeat at Saint Petersburg but still retained their lead at the top of the standings.

The Red Army side now have 33 points from 15 matches, six points clear of their closest rivals Ramenskoye who drew 1-1 with third-placed Dynamo Moscow.

Saint Petersburg seized the initiative right from the kick-off, pinning back the visitors and forcing CSKA goalkeeper Veniamin Mandrykin into several early saves.

However, CSKA defended well and after absorbing the presure, took the lead in the 23rd minute when midfielder Igor Yanovsky headed in from the edge of the six-yard box.

Saint Petersburg were back on level terms almost immediately when Romanian defender Daniel Cirice beat Mandrykin with a powerful shot from 22 metres.

Ukrainian midfielder Alexander Spivak made it 2-1 on the stroke of half-time when he converted a penalty after Dmitry Makarov had been fouled in the box.

Nine minutes after the interval, Saint Petersburg skipper Vladislav Radimov extended the lead with a precise freekick from 19 metres into the left-handed corner.

Alexander Kerzhakov made the three points safe after 80 minutes with the fourth goal.

Ramenskoye wasted an early chance to open the scoring against Dynamo Moscow when they were awarded a sixth-minute penalty but Dynamo's Armeniam goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky saved skipper Pyotr Bystrov's spotkick.

But the visitors kept up the pressure and went ahead when Moldovan striker Sergei Rogaciov headed in from close range from Samir Muratovic's right-wing cross in the 22nd minute.

On a rain-soaked pitch, Dynamo struggled to hit back but they salvaged a point in the 66th minute when their Slovakian defender Michal Hanek headed in from five metres.