CSKA beat Kuban, extend RPL lead

Moscow, Nov 11 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Two Ahmed Musa goals helped football club CSKA Moscow cruise to a 3-1 win over FC Kuban and extend their Russian Premier League lead.

Leonid Slutsky’s side go four points clear of Anzhi Makhachkala, though the Dagestanis can restore the difference to one when they face Lokomotiv Moscow.

“It was difficult, no-one has it easy in Krasnodar, but we made it easier for ourselves. It was tough but we deserved it,” said Slutsky Saturday in televised comments.

Kuban’s first home defeat of the season leaves Yuri Krasnozhan’s men in sixth on 25 points, 11 adrift of CSKA.

“The game just didn’t work out. We lost to a classier team,” said Krasnozhan whose side had centre-back Luis Ricardo Zelau sent off in the last minute for a second booking.

CSKA went ahead on 35 minutes, when Musa finished clinically after a cutting through ball from Alan Dzagoev.

The lead only lasted nine minutes, however, as Armenian striker Aras Ozbiliz equalized from the penalty spot.

Musa restored the visitors’ advantage six minutes into the second half, slamming home the rebound after Alexander Belenov had saved Dzagoev’s shot.

CSKA went 3-1 up on 57 minutes with Rasmus Elm curling a glorious effort into the top corner from 30 yards out.

—IANS/RIA Novosti

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IANS 2012-11-11 13:46:21