FC Khimki 2-3 Spartak Moscow
Saturday 17 October, Khimki Arena

Goals: Khimki - Mirzov (48), Idowu (85); Spartak - (Kokorin pen 58), Ponce (63), Larsson (77)

Man of the Match: Aleksandr Maksimenko (Spartak)

Spartak Moscow survived a late scare to beat Khimki by the odd goal in five and return level on points with Zenit at the top of the table. Spartak loanee Reziuan Mirzov broke the deadlock just after the break, before Aleksandr Kokorin - from the penalty spot - Ezequiel Ponce and Jordan Larsson put Domenico Tedesco’s side firmly in control. 

Brian Idowu pulled one back for the hosts five minutes from time, before being denied by an inspired Aleksandr Maksimenko when clean through on goal in the closing moments. Victor Moses also came off the bench for his debut little more than 24 hours after arriving in the country.

Khimki stay 14th in the relegation playoff places on six points, while Spartak draw level with Zenit St. Petersburg on 24 points in second.

Next RPL fixtures: Saturday 24 October - FC Krasnodar vs Spartak Moscow; Sunday 25 October - FC Rostov vs FC Khimki