Anzhi beat CSKA 2-0

Moscow, Dec 2 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Mbark Boussoufa scored one goal and set up another as Anzhi Makhachkala underlined their status as Russian Premier League title contenders with a dominating 2-0 win over 10-man CSKA Moscow.

The win Saturday puts Anzhi level on points with CSKA, who cling on to the top spot by virtue of having won more games, while Anzhi also preserved their unbeaten record at home this season.

Lacina Traore is one of the world’s tallest footballers, and his height was key as Anzhi took the lead on 57 minutes, the giant Ivorian stretching to nod in a cross from Boussoufa, who had sold CSKA defender Kirill Nababkin a dummy.

Eto’o tricked Nababkin as Anzhi scored their second on 78 minutes, waltzing through the CSKA defence before sending a low cross for Boussoufa to tap in, and the goal was ruled good despite the Moroccan appearing to be offside.

CSKA played the entire second half a man down after Aleksandrs Cauna picked up his second booking in first-half stoppage time, and ill-discipline almost cost the visitors again on 84 minutes when Vasily Berezutsky tripped Anzhi’s Yuri Zhirkov in the box but the referee declined to award a penalty.

A CSKA side lacking key playmaker Alan Dzagoev lacked attacking venom as they slumped to their first defeat in eight league games after struggling to a 1-1 draw with third-placed Zenit St. Petersburg Monday.

—IANS/RIA Novosti

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IANS 2012-12-02 20:10:17