Matchday 22 of the Russian Premier Liga produced 27 goals, an abundance of struggles and some brilliant saves. The broadcaster’s experts selected the best players from all eight matches as follows:

Akhmat Grozny 2-3 Dynamo Moscow     

Man of the Match: Maximilian Philipp

The German forward scored his seventh goal of the campaign - and his fourth from the penalty spot - to help Dynamo to a commanding 3-1 lead in Grozny. He completed 86% of his passes and 73% of his challenges.

FC Orenburg 1-3 Spartak Moscow                       

Man of the Match: Aleksandr Maksimenko

Spartak has their young goalkeeper to thank for keeping FC Orenburg at bay. Maksimenko made three clear saves - more than any other keeper except Yaroslav Godzyur, who conceded seven goals but also made seven saves - and blocked five shots.

Zenit St. Petersburg 7-1 FC Ural Ekaterinburg   

Man of the Match: Sardar Azmoun

Zenit St. Petersburg were rampant against FC Ural Ekaterinburg was they plundered seven goals, their highest tally in a single RPL match for well over five years when they beat Torpedo Moscow 8-1. Azmoun bagged his first-ever career hattrick, and like his strike partner Artem Dzyuba he took twice as many shots (8) as the next most lethal striker, with seven being on target.

Arsenal Tula 0-1 Rubin Kazan                  

Man of the Match: Daniil Lesovoy

Although Rubin Kazan managed to eke out a much-needed win, Arsenal Tula’s winger was a constant threat. Only four players in his position attempted more key passes than his four, and he completed all four of his attempted dribbles.

FC Sochi 2-0 FC Krasnodar                                  

Man of the Match: Aleksandr Kokorin

Aleksandr Kokorin continues to impress on his return to active football even though he didn’t make the scoresheet against title hopefuls FC Krasnodar. Three of his shots were on target - only Ivelin Popov attempted more shots of fellow central attacking midfielders - while he also completed all of his four key passes.

CSKA Moscow 0-0 FC Ufa                         

Man of the Match: Aleksandr Belenov

For the second consecutive away game against a top-five club, Aleksandr Belenov was the impregnable last line of defence. His clean sheet came thanks largely to him blocking all seven shots on target.

FC Rostov 1-3 Lokomotiv Moscow                      

Man of the Match: Grzegorz Krychowiak

Lokomotiv Moscow were not the strongest side for periods in the game against FC Rostov, but when they needed inspiration it was once again their Polish midfield talisman who produced the goods. He had a hand on all three goals, hit all three of his shots on target, and drew more fouls than any other holding midfielder.

FC Tambov 3-0 Krylia Sovetov Samara

Man of the Match: Georgi Melkadze

The on-loan Spartak Moscow forward is has been enjoying a new lease of life at FC Tambov. Against Krylia Sovetov he scored his sixth RPL goal of the season as well as hitting all three shots on target and drawing six fouls, more than any other forward.