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Two meetings on Saturday kicked off the 25th round of the Russian Premier League. The defending champions "CSKA" won their fourteenth victory of the season and extended their lead over the chasing pack. After a tough fight, they defeated "Rostov" and took advantage of "Spartak" drawing.
Moscow's "CSKA" met with this season's mid-table team "Rostov" and after a goalless first half, the "army men" took the lead in the 54th minute through a goal from Croatian Ivica Olic, but Timofey Kalachev equalized from the penalty spot in the 77th minute. However, the final word was said by the same I. Olic, who scored the winning goal five minutes before the end of the match.
This victory allowed "CSKA" to increase their lead over second-placed city neighbors "Spartak" to four points. Meanwhile, "Spartak" once again lost a victory from their hands for the second week in a row, this time against "Shinnik". They took the lead with Roman Pavlyuchenko's goal, but in the last minute, Sergey Omelyanchuk equalized for the hosts.
On Sunday, "Spartak" will have the chance to catch up when they face "Lokomotiv", who are one step below them in the standings, while in a neighborly duel in the standings, St. Petersburg's "Zenit" will face "Moscow".
Statistics from the 25th round matches on Saturday:
"Rostov" 1 - 2 "CSKA" 54' [0 - 1] Ivica Olic 77' [1 - 1] Timofey Kalachev (penalty) 85' [1 - 2] Ivica Olic
D. Semberas ("CSKA") played the full match.
"Shinnik" 1 - 1 "Spartak" 7' [0 - 1] Roman Pavlyuchenko 90' [1 - 1] Sergey Omelyanchuk
I. Dedura ("Spartak") was not registered for the match.
