Rostov 4-0 Arsenal Tula
Saturday 23 October, Rostov Arena

Goals: Rostov - Hashimoto 27’, Sowe 29’, Poloz (pen) 62’, Terentyev 64’
Man of the Match: Denis Terentyev (Rostov)

Kento Hashimoto sparked Rostov to their biggest win of the season - equalling their best RPL scoreline since March 2017 - in a three-minute first-half blitz. The Japanese midfielder thumped in his first home goal of the season with a bullet header, before moments later flicking on a corner to the grateful Ali Sowe to complete the task from close range.

It was another equally quick burst after the break that helped put the result out of Arsenal’s reach. Nikolay Poyarkov was brought down in the box, leaving Dmitry Poloz to convert the resulting penalty for his second goal in three league games.

The fourth came three minutes later from the most unlikely of sources. Denis Terentyev - whose cross had supplied Hashimoto’s opener before half time, and had only ever scored once before in the RPL - was on hand to collect a loose ball that had drifted wide at a tight angle; rather than take a touch or pass to a teammate, he simply slammed it first time inside the near post.

Rostov edge ahead of Arsenal into 12th on 12 points, with Arsenal slipping back a place on the same points.

Next RPL fixtures: Saturday 30 October - Spartak vs Rostov; Sunday 31 October - Arsenal vs Sochi