Birthday boy Sobolev spearheads blistering Spartak win

Spartak Moscow 6-1 FC Krasnodar 
Sunday 7 March, Otkritie Bank Arena 

Goals: Spartak - Sobolev (2, 61), Promes (8), Larsson (63, 83), Ponce (75); Krasnodar - Gazinsky (56)
Man of the Match: Aleksandr Sobolev (Spartak)

Spartak burst out of the traps at breakneck speed, going 2-0 up within the opening eight minutes through Aleksandr Sobolev’s towering header and Quincy Promes’ smart finish - the Dutchman’s first goal since rejoining the club. 

Yury Gazinsky unleashed a left-footed rocket from the edge of the box to pull one back 10 minutes into the second half, but the two-goal advantage was restored for Spartak soon after.

Jordan Larsson’s good work set Promes free to set up Sobolev for a stunning first-time swerving shot over teenage stand-in keeper Stanislav Agkatsev. Moments later, Nail Umyarov hooked a clearance into Larsson’s path to race clear from inside his own half and cooly slot home.

The rout wasn’t over; Aleks Kral whipped a beautiful cross over for substitute Exequiel Ponce to power home unchallenged. Into the last 10 minutes a hopeful long-range effort was spilled by Agkatsev for Larsson to tap in his 10th goal of the season.

Spartak go up to third on 38 points, while Krasnodar stay eighth on 31 points. 

Next RPL fixtures: Saturday 13 March - Dynamo Moscow vs Spartak Moscow; Sunday 14 March - FC Tambov vs FC Krasnodar