Ionov double not enough to shock champions Zenit

FC Krasnodar 2-2 Zenit St. Petersburg
Saturday 17 April, Krasnodar Stadium

Goals: Krasnodar - Ionov (7, 60); Zenit - Azmoun (75), Mostovoy (86)
Man of the Match: Alekey Ionov (Krasnodar)

Aleksey Ionov breathed life back into the title race with a double to hold Zenit St. Petersburg. Heavy pressing high up the pitch won back possession for the hosts, leaving Kristoffer Olsson space to drill a shot that Ionov diverted past Andrey Lunev. 

On the hour mark Ionov struck again, controlling a long ball over the top before cutting inside Yaroslav Rakitsky and curling home a brilliant second. 

Sardar Azmoun hit back after capitalising on a mix-up between Matvey Safonov and Kaio to slot into an empty net to begin the comeback. Andrey Mostovoy came off the bench to volley home a fine finish from Douglas Santos’ drilled cross and grab a share of the points.

Krasnodar remain 11th on 35 points, while Zenit extend their lead over Lokomotiv Moscow to six points.

Next RPL fixtures: Saturday 24 April - Zenit St. Petersburg vs Rotor Volgograd; Sunday 25 April - Rubin Kazan vs FC Krasnodar