Russia's Zenit St. Petersburg overcame a stiff challenge from second-placed Dinamo Moscow to extend their lead to six points at the top of the Russian Premier League after a 3-2 thriller at the Petrovsky Stadium here
St. Petersburg: Russia's Zenit St. Petersburg overcame a stiff challenge from second-placed Dinamo Moscow to extend their lead to six points at the top of the Russian Premier League after a 3-2 thriller at the Petrovsky Stadium here.
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Mathieu Valbuena opened scoring for the visitors in the 18th minute Saturday night before Dinamo defender Douglas found the back of his own net to level scores on the half-hour mark, reports Xinhua.
A goal from local hero Andrei Arshavin just before half-time appeared to have proved decisive for Zenit until a Christopher Samba equaliser in the 82nd minute threatened to spoil the party.
Only an 89th-minute goal from defender Igor Smolnikov saved the hosts' perfect league record.
Zenit have now won their first seven Russian Premier League matches under new manager Andre Villas-Boas.
Over the next few days the club will turn their attention to European football, with a UEFA Champions League group clash against Portuguese club Benfica scheduled in Lisbon Tuesday.
Zenit have been drawn in Group C alongside Benfica, Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen.