Nizhny Novgorod 1-4 Krasnodar
Saturday 23 October, Nizhny Novgorod Stadium

Goals: Nizhny Novgorod - Gotsyuk 83’; Krasnodar - Krychowiak 5’, Spertsyan 56’, Chernikov 73’, Ilyin 76’
Man of the Match: Grzegorz Krychowiak (Krasnodar)

Grzegorz Krychowiak struck with barely four minutes on the clock to put Krasnodar firmly in charge. Cristian Ramirez’ deep inswinging corner was met seven yards out by the Polish midfielder, who delivered a thumping header over Artur Anisimov.

Eduard Spertsyan was central to most of Krasnodar’s best attacking movements, and doubled the lead after a lightning quick counter attack. A Nizhny Novgorod corner was comfortably cleared at the near post as Krasnodar swept forward, and Krychowiak eased Spertsyan through to poke home.

Jhon Cordoba was anxious to add to his season tally - the Colombian had raced onto five goals following four goals in consecutive matches in August, but had since gone four games without a goal. He stepped up to take a penalty after the hour, but dragged a poor effort well wide. Minutes later he was denied by Anisimov’s outstretched leg.

Aleksandr Chernikov sealed the win with a simple glancing header from Remy Cabella’s inswinging corner, but the visitors weren’t done yet; in fact, they saved the best goal till last. 

Defending a corner, they broke clear in almost identical fashion to the second goal. Acres of space opened up again as substitute Vladimir Ilyin surged towards the halfway line. He fed Cabella out wide on the left flank, before the Frenchman switched play to Spertsyan, whose composed ball cut out the onrushing Anisimov towards Ilyin - his impudent flick behind his standing leg was instinctive brilliance to cap off a blistering display.

Kirill Gotsyuk bagged a consolation in the last 10 minutes, before Timur Suleymanov saw an audacious effort ruled out for offside, but it was far too little, much too late.

Nizhny Novgorod stay 10th on 14 points, while Krasnodar go third on 21 points.

Next RPL fixtures: Saturday 30 October - Krasnodar vs Krylia Sovetov; Nizhny Novgorod vs Lokomotiv Moscow