In the final contest of week thirty-four of the Sogaz Championship of Russia, Spartak Moscow was held to a scoreless draw by host Anzhi Makhachkala. With the result the Red-Whites pull level with Dinamo at the third spot and only two points shy of the CSKA whom they face next week in another chapter of the great Moscow derby.

From last weeks clash against Rubin Kazan, Spartak manager Valeriy Karpin made two changes to his starting fold with Aiden McGeady and Rafael Carioca entering for Kirill Kombarov and Artem Dzjuba. Anzhi, with its eye upon a spot on the European stage and with newly appointed manager Guus Hiddink at the helm started quickly with a noteworthy scoring chance in the opening thirty seconds that saw Yuriy Zhirkov slide the ball to Mbark Boussoufa on the right side of the before the latter’s chipped effort drifted wide. Shortly thereafter Welliton created the Red-Whites first opportunity as he dispossessed Rasim Tagirbekov of the ball deep in the Anzhi area to the right. Surging towards the goal, Emmanuel Emenike ghosted towards the far post where he chased down Welliton’s provision but his low effort was stopped by host goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov. After the early advances play was tight an excluding a solid chance from Aiden McGeady near the right by-line came up for naught neither side could muster a scoring threat and the contest went to the break scoreless.

At the re-start Mr. Karpin ushered Ari in for Aiden McGeady but the complexion of the match was decidedly box to box. Chances were primarily speculative in nature with Marek Suchý testing the ‘keeper from difference before Sergei Parshivlyuk slipped away from his man at the right by-line but his cross was cleared to safety before any damage could be done. The final quarter-hour saw the hosts press for the much needed goal with Yuriy Zhirkov surging down the left channel before sliding the ball to Makhach Gadzhiyev at the back post but the final touch soared over the bar. In the second minute of added-time Anzhi was presented with fine opportunity with Jan Holenda surging into the area but rather than take his effort he went to the ground, appropriately receiving a yellow-card from referee Sergei Lapochkin as well as the ire of Mr. Hiddink who called it a “dive” in his post match press conference. Without further incident the match concluded as a nil draw and Spartak will now turn its attention to the upcoming derby.

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Spartak Moscow returned to play after the long winter-break of the Sogaz Championship of Russia with a 1-1 draw, honours even, to host Rubin Kazan. With the result the Red-Whites sits level with Dinamo at the third spot, eight points shy of leader Zenit Saint Petersburg, ahead of next weeks encounter with Anzhi Makhachkala.

Juggling his line-up, Spartak manager Valeriy Karpin dispatched Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Emmanuel Emenike on the left and right flanks to support Artem Dzyuba and Welliton up top but as play got underway it was clear that in minus five degree temperatures and despite the efforts from local groundskeepers the pitch was deeply problematic. With the backdrop of the extraordinary support from Spartak’s loyal fans, defenders enjoyed a decided advantage as they were quite aware attacking advances were relegated to primarily long ball efforts or congested efforts on the flank. Following an early delay due to smoke clearing from the pitch, the contest pressed on and at the seventh minute Gökdeniz Karadeniz was gifted a high probability chance on the left side of the area but found Spartak ‘keeper Andriy Dykan up to the task. The hosts continued to post the greater of attacking advances until the Red-Whites narrowly missed taking the lead as Welliton was unable to connect on Dmitri Kombarov’s corner from the right and as the ball bounded to the back-post Marek Suchý failed to squeeze it into the net. Later Welliton and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov linked a fine combination on the left but Rubin’s defending unit pushed the ball to safety before damage could be done. Spartak’s final attacking effort shy of the break saw a delicate chip for Artem Dzyuba in the area but after the young striker went down in a tangle with a defender match day referee Mikhail Vilkov waived off claims for a penalty.

The re-start saw little change in tempo and looking very much like neither side would find a way through the conditions. However at the fifty-eighth minute Rubin grabbed the one goal advantage as Roman Sharonov nodded a high looping corner from the right into the net. Down by one, Spartak was in dire need of the equaliser but with advances becoming more rare as the night wore on it would need to be something special. With the Red-Whites drawing forward, opportunities presented the hosts such as Oba Martin’s racing onto a long-ball but the former Newcastle man was unable to muster a shot on target. Finally with ten minutes in regulation time remaining that “something special” was served up on a platter as Aiden McGeady deftly created space on the left side of the area before lofting a chip to the back-post that Emmanuel Emenike dutifully headed into the net. The final ten minutes played out without incident, with the match concluding as a 1-1 draw, honours even.

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In a perfect tune-up to the re-start of the domestic campaign, Spartak Moscow added to their hardware case with claim to the Copa del Sol tournament courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Danish side F.C. København. The result brings to an end to drought of trophies for the Red-Whites that dates back to 2003 and sets the stage for a brilliant future of Valeriy Karpin’s youthful line-up.

After getting past Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 on Sunday, København approached the evening with poise and intent to shutdown Spartak’s fluid assault. The opening stages proved tight with the first noteworthy effort coming via Pape Paté Diouf at the half-hour mark, only to see his volley from twelve metres drift off-course. However three minutes later Nicolás Pareja took matters into his own hands with a perfectly placed free-kick from twenty-three metres on the left that dipped over the wall and into the near bottom corner of the Kim Christensen’s net to give Spartak the lead they would not relinquish. Play continued to be tight with neither side threatening beyond the final third.

The re-start saw little change as Spartak gave little ground to the Dane’s with Andriy Dykan a spectator for large stretches of the affair. As the contest approached the hour mark the Red-Whites began to threaten, first with Ari’s menacing cross from the right narrowly being headed over the bar by Aleksandr Sheshukov with the Brazilian later failing to convert after being played in alone on the ‘keeper. Four minutes past the hour, Mr. Karpin added Rafael Carioca for Aleksandr Zotov as Spartak went about the professional task of sealing the result. With victory in sight for Spartak, København narrowly missed levelling at the death of regulation time but Andriy Dykan made a spellbinding reflex stop of Ragnar Sigurðsson’s close-range effort. Following nearly five minutes of added-time the final whistle sounded and travelling faithful erupted in voice as Spartak claimed the hardware with a 1-0 victory.

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Spartak Moscow’s Copa del Sol effort slowed with a 1-1 (8-9) penalty shoot-out loss to Rosenborg BK in a game deeply mired in a dreadful series of refereeing decisions and rash challenges unfitting for a friendly.

Coming off their impressive performance against IFK Göteborg Red-White manager Valeriy Karpin shifted his entire line-up, excluding Aiden McGeady, made a series of changes to his line-up in order to get a better look at his forces in lieu of the re-start to the domestic campaign including the debut of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov as well as Artyom Rebrov between the woodwork.

The opening stages were tight, though once again Spartak showed a well disciplined and patient style that clearly had them the more likely of the two to break the deadlock. After a fine stop by Red-White ‘keeper Artyom Rebrov following a turnover deep in the Spartak third, the contest became mired in a series of contentious challenges by the Norwegians, to which Kirill Kombarov was taken down harshly from behind just past the half-hour by a Markus Henriksen. Angered by such a poorly timed challenged that would have likely resulted in a straight red-card for the offender in league play, Kirill Kombarov received a yellow-card, which proved to his unfortunate undoing as ten minutes he was sent off with his second infraction. Showing composure, despite being a man down Spartak continued with an impressive passing performance with the contest going to the break deadlocked.

At the re-start Mr. Karpin summoned Demy de Zeeuw in for Aiden McGeady with the Red-Whites showing no fear. Just past the hour Welliton entered for Jano Ananidze and at the sixty-six minute Spartak grabbed the one goal advantage as Diniyar Bilyaletdinov sumptuously played through Emmanuel Emenike with the Nigerian international moving to the left of the ‘keeper before driving the ball into the net. Spartak maintained strict defending lines throughout much of the balance of play though without a doubt control of the proceedings were lacking as challenges and shirt pulling were obvious. Still victory looking in site until a failed clearance a minute into added-time provided Rosenborg attacker John Chibuike a point blank chance, to which he rifled the leveller into the right corner of the net.

Moving straight to penalties, both ‘keepers were unable to stop the ensuing efforts from the spot through to the ninth road when Fyodor Kudryashov’s effort was parried away, providing Rosenborg the result, albeit one that reflects more of abysmal refereeing than a quality performance.

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In an impressive display, Spartak opened its effort in the Copa del Sol tournament with a 4-2 (2-2) penalty shoot victory over Swedish side IFK Göteborg.

Set in the beautiful Spanish coastal retreat of Benidorm, Valeriy Karpin’s men showed promise from the opening whistle with Aiden McGeady a constant menace on the left. Barely two minutes into the contest the Republic of Ireland narrowly missed connecting with Welliton with a teasing cross that went for naught. While general play was holstered firmly box to box thereafter, the Red-Whites were clearly the more likely to break the deadlock until being shocked six minutes past the half-hour. Coming via a deft side foot flick on from a corner, Tobias Hysén delivered a booming volley past Andriy Dykan for the one goal advantage. Spartak immediately went on the attack with Aiden McGeady applying the petrol with a quick assault on the left. With the ball moving from Welliton at the top of the box to Artem Dzyuba on the right, the twenty-three year-old striker saw his low effort intended for the bottom left corner stopped before the Brazilian sniper sent the rebound into the net. The Red-Whites continued to pressure to the lead but had to be satisfied with a 1-1 deadlock at the break.

At the re-start play continued with neither side able to make headway and a minute shy of the hour Mr. Karpin summoned Emmanuel Emenike for Welliton. Following a close miss from in an Göteborg advance, Philip Haglund powerfully headed a corner from the right into the net to restore the Swedish club’s advantage. Responding to the challenge once again, Spartak’s cagey and high work rate created a turnover as Stefan Selaković’s poorly weight pass intended for the ‘keeper was latched onto be Emmanuel Emenike and after a deft manoeuvre he deposited the leveller into the net. In the final quarter-hour Jano Ananidze entered for Demy de Zeeuw along with Aleksandr Zotov for Artem Dzyuba shortly thereafter but after both sides failed to connect on noteworthy chances the match went to penalty shoot-out.

Stepping up to the spot first Sergei Parshivlyuk saw his effort stopped before Andriy Dykan rose to the occasion to deny Tobias Hysén. In quick succession, Aiden McGeady and Jano Ananidze both notched their efforts, along with their counterparts before Marcos Rojo dispatched the ball to the top right corner of the net to provide Spartak the advantage. Andriy Dykan then managed to heroically paw away Hjörtur Logi Valgarðsson’s effort and with victory in sight Ari strode the spot and lashed the ball into the left corner.

Spartak Moscow returns to play in the Copa del Sol tournament on 1 February to face Norwegian side Rosenborg BK.

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With Spartak Moscow ready to begin play in the Copa del Sol in advance of re-start of the extended Russian football season, the club has scored an enormous coup with the addition of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov from Everton.

No stranger to Red-Whites faithful, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov rose to fame at Lokomotiv displaying mercurial pace on the attack and a passion for the goal. After five superb years for the Railwayman, earning the captains armband in 2007, he made the shift to English Premier League side Everton for a free reportedly in the range of £8.9m.

Earning forty-five caps for Russia as a fixture in the line-up, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov will join Spartak following his medical and finalising of terms and signing of the contract.

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Via Evgeni Makeev’s stunning late acrobatic leveller, Spartak Moscow played host Kuban Krasnodar to a 1-1 draw, honours even, in match day thirty-two of the Sogaz Championship of Russia. With the result the Muscovites move to fourth in the table, a point of Dynamo before next week’s crucial test against Rubin Kazan.

Coming off last weeks victory over Lokomotiv and boasting only a single goal surrendered in the four most recent contests, the Red-Whites journeyed south with manager Valeriy Karpin without the services of Aleksandr Sheshukov and Aiden McGeady. From this most recent line-up, the Spartak tactician made three changes with Rodri, Rafael Carioca and Kirill Kombarov entering for Marek Suchý, Aleksandr Zotov and the Republic of Ireland international. Opening play was tight with neither side able to break the deadlock until the eight minutes shy of the break when a loose ball on the midfield was flicked overhead by a hopeful Marco Né. Bounding between Rodri and an on-rushing Sergei Parshivlyuk on the left, Lacina Traoré latched onto the ball at the edge of the area before snapped a low effort past Spartak ‘keeper Andriy Dykan to the low opposite corner of the net.

Down by one, Mr. Karpin called upon Jano Ananidze, his first league appearance since 11 September, for Kirill Kombarov at the re-start but still chances were meagre for Spartak. Early on, Vladislav Kulik pushed on the left from Evgeni Makeev before launching a long range effort that Andriy Dykan stretched out fully to push to safety. Vladislav Kulik continued to be a menace and narrowly missed doubling the margin at the fiftieth minute when he nodded Roman Bugayev’s corner from the right but in a miraculous effort, Dmitri Kombarov cleared the ball off the line with a header of his own to keep Spartak within one. With twenty-five minutes remaining in regulation time Sergei Bryzgalov trotted on for Nicolás Pareja as the Red-Whites and it was not long until nineteen year old etched his name on the contest. Coming nine minutes later Kuban launched a quick counter down the left with the ball played forward Gigi Bucur. With only Andriy Dykan to be the deadly Pol Timişoara attacker bore down on the Spartak ‘keeper but showing pace and intent Sergei Bryzgalov raced forward with a sliding challenge that squashed the effort. In his final tactical decision the Spartak manager summoned Welliton in for Artem Dzyuba as the all-out hunt for point continued. After surviving another counter attack the Red-Whites were rewarded with the leveller at the eighty-sixth minute as Dmitri Kombarov’s free-kick from the right whipped into the box and after a attempted clearance set the ball high, with a further bounce off Rodri, Evgeni Makeev delivered the leveller from close-range into the net via a stunning overhead acrobatic strike. Now level, Spartak went in the hunt for the leveller but following a speculative effort from Dmitri Kombarov flirted with the bar, the match concluded as a 1-1 draw, honours even

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In a flourishing display, Spartak overwhelmed Lokomotiv 2-0 in the Moscow derby at Luzhniki Stadion of match-day thirty-one of the Sogaz Championship of Russia. With the result, the Red-Whites gain important points on both CSKA and Zenit and are now only six points removed from the top of the table.

Returning from the international break, Spartak manager Valeriy Karpin was without Rafael Carioca due to suspension and ushered twenty-one year old Aleksandr Zotov into the starting berth. A cagey start marked the opening of the always spirited Moscow derby saw opportunities come in a flourish with Artem Dzyuba launching a quick counter that
Emmanuel Emenike saw fight off the Lokomotiv defenders before his low effort from the edge of the area denied by the ‘keeper. Later Aiden McGeady showed his attacking vision with a deft cross from the left side of the area intended for Emmanuel Emenike that was blocked before Lokomotiv managed their own riposte. Coming via Alberto Zapater’s corner on the right, Manuel da Costa’s header appeared destined for the net before goalkeeper Andriy Dykan stretched out fully to maintain the deadlock. Following the brief advance, Spartak dictated the run of play with pace and guile and broke the deadlock four minutes shy of the half-hour with Dmitri Kombarov once again playing the role of architect. In a swift counter, the intensely talented twenty-four year-old midfielder deftly chipped the ball over the Lokomotiv defenders for Emmanuel Emenike, with the striker then poking his seventh goal since joining Spartak into the net. With the faithful singing out his name, the day was not over for the striker but first it would be up to Andriy Dykan to thwart two noteworthy Lokomotiv advances. Coming at the forty-first minute Sergei Parshivlyuk made a brilliant run from the right into the area before shuttling the ball to Emmanuel Emenike, who after showing power in holding off Manuel da Costa’s turned to fire a beaming effort into the top right corner of the net. Up by two, Spartak was in complete control of the proceedings as the match went to the break.

Nine minutes after the re-start, Mr. Karpin added Kirill Kombarov for Aiden McGeady as Spartak went out the task of locking down the result. As the half proceeded, Artem Dzyuba pushed the ball forward to Kirill Kombarov on the right with his low cross to the back post a step beyond an on-rushing Emmanuel Emenike. Later, Artem Dzyuba was set-up man again this time as he shifted the ball to Emmanuel Emenike on the right but this time Lokomotiv ‘keeper Guilherme managed to stop the ball with his outstretched leg. The Railwayman goalkeeper was doing yeoman duty as Spartak continued its assault as he parried Ari’s close range header just before the ball cross the line but play was decidedly one way. With the contest effectively fait accompli, the Spartak tactician summoned Dmitri Kayumov for Artem Dzyuba at the seventy-ninth minute the teen’s third appearance of the campaign, with Aleksandr Sheshukov for Dmitri Kombarov in the shortly thereafter. Time ticked down and with the final whistle Spartak claimed an impressive 2-0 victory over Lokomotiv in the Moscow derby.

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In a cagey encounter that lived up to its billing, Spartak played Dynamo to a 1-1 draw honours even at Arena Khimki in another chapter of the Moscow derby. With the result the Red-Whites sit fourth in that table, two points off Dynamo before the balance of play on Sunday in match-day thirty of the Sogaz Championship of Russia.

Coming off last weeks demolition of Lokomotiv, Spartak manager Valeriy Karpin maintained the same starting eleven and quickly saw their hosts press forward. After an opening joust by Dynamo came up short play began to settle with both sides extremely active but unable to mount a series threat in the final third. A minute shy of the quarter-hour Spartak narrowly missed taking the lead as Artem Dzyuba led a quick counter down the left before launching a lofted diagonal provision over Leandro Fernández for Aiden McGeady on the right channel. Bearing down on Dynamo goalkeeper Anton Shunin, the Republic of Ireland international sent a left footed drive off the far post with Rafael Carioca seeing his first effort from the rebound blocked and a follow-up volley saved. After Zvjezdan Misimović sent a curling free-kick wide of the left post, Dynamo took the one goal advantage six minute shy of the break. Following a yellow-card on Aiden McGeady for a challenge to Igor Semshov, Aleksandr Samedov delivered a deft free kick from the left into the box that Kevin Kurányi ducked under Nicolás Pareja to head the ball into the net. After Andriy Dykan denied a further advance by Dynamo, Spartak went to the break down by one.

At the re-start the Red-Whites showed greater venom going forward with last weeks hat-trick scorer Emmanuel Emenike seeing his effort stopped by ‘keeper Anton Shunin. However at the fifty-seventh minute there was no stopping Spartak as Evgeni Makeev throw in from the right rattled around the box before being shifted to Aiden McGeady at the top of the area. After pulling the ball away from Luke Wilkshire’s challenge he shifted to his left before side footing it into the right corner to square the contest. Seven minutes later the Red-Whites were forced to play with a personnel disadvantage as Rafael Carioca received his second yellow-card on a decision of some debate. Shortly thereafter Mr. Karpin added Aleksandr Sheshukov for Ari as Spartak shored its defending moorings and while Dynamo showed urgency going forward the final third proved their nemesis with Andriy Dykan impossible to beat. With seven minutes remaining in regulation time the Spartak tactician added Sergei Bryzgalov for Artem Dzyuba and while play continued to be open on either end of the pitch the final third was lacking and the contest ended as a 1-1 draw, honours even.

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On the back of Emmanuel Emenike’s stunning three-goal outpouring, Spartak overwhelmed Lokomotiv 3-0 in the Moscow derby at Luzhniki Stadion. The result pushes Valeriy Karpin’s Red-Whites level with the Railwayman at the third spot and eight points shy of league leader Zenit Saint Petersburg.

Coming off last weeks reaffirming victory of Tom Tomsk, Mr. Karpin made three changes to his starting eleven with Nicolás Pareja, Aiden McGeady and Emmanuel Emenike entering for Marcos Rojo, Demy de Zeeuw and Welliton. The Red-Whites wasted little time in giving their voracious supporters something to cheer about as in the second minute Ari’s cross from the right found Aiden McGeady on the left side of the box with the Republic of International delivering a low cross that Emmanuel Emenike side footed into the net. Only thirteen minutes later a midfield battle for the ball when Ari’s way with the twenty-five year old the flicking it forward for Emmanuel Emenike, who after a fortuitous deflection off a Lokomotiv defender moved to his right before scoring from the edge of the area. Down by two the Railwayman were suggesting little going forward the though play was decidedly one-way Spartak was unable to add to their two-goal advantage through to the break.

At the re-start, Lokomotiv manager José Couceiro summoned Dmitri Torbinski for Vladislav Ignatyev with the Railwayman desperate to find a way through Spartak’s stingy resolve. If Lokomotiv were hopeful of a comeback that was silenced quickly as Emmanuel Emenike, once again via Ari’s provision, added his third of the day and sixth of the campaign with a booming low drive from the edge of the area to the near post. Capping it with a remarkable display of athleticism with a series of handsprings in celebration the striker was rewarded with thunderous chats of his name from the faithful as victory was in sight. On the hour Mr. Karpin called upon Aleksandr Sheshukov for Evgeni Makeev, with Dmitri Kayumov coming on for Artem Dzyuba as Spartak went about strangler Lokomotiv’s efforts. In the final Kirill Kombarov entered for Emmanuel Emenike, giving the Spartak supporters another chance to express with support as the Red-Whites claimed a 3-0 victory over Lokomotiv in the Moscow Derby.

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