Khimki 1-2 Arsenal Tula
Sunday 5 December, Arena Khimki

Goals: Khimki - Mirzov (pen) 35'; Arsenal - Davitashvili 61', E. Kangwa 87'
Man of the Match: Zuriko Davitashvili (Arsenal) 

Reziuan Mirzov finally struck his first RPL goal of the season at the 14th attempt, and he very nearly fluffed his lines. 

Daniel Stepanov was adjudged to have upended Anton Troshechkin in the box, leaving Mirzov to take the spot kick. His delayed run-up failed to fool Anton Kochenkov who dived low to his right to block his shot, only for Mirzov to bundle in the rebound 

The drama wasn't over though, as Evgeny Kukulyak ordered a retake due to encroachment. This time Mirzov settled the matter without needing a rebound, sending his spot kick into the opposite corner. 

It hadn't been the most fluid of peformances, partly down to three players - Kemal Ademi, Aleksandr Filin and Egor Danilikin - leaving the pitch through injury inside the opening half an hour. Nevertheless, Khimki went into the break a goal to the good and on course to lift themselves off the foot of the table. 

On the hour mark, the visitors struck back in spectacular fashion. Zuriko Davitashvili picked up the ball with nothing obvious on, and simply drove right through half of Khimki's back-pedalling defence before firing an unstoppable rocket into the far right corner. 

Arsenal were far more confident going forwards, and earned their just rewards - only their second win in 24 away league games - three minutes from time. Kings Kangwa nipped in front of his marker to help the ball on towards his brother Evans, whose first time shot across goal was too strong for Ilya Lantratov who could only edge it onto the inside of the post and into the net. 

To add insult to injury for Khimki, Brian Idowu was sent off as added time crept up and left them bottom of the table. 

Khimki remain bottom of the table on 14 points, while Arsenal go 11th on 19 points.

Next RPL fixtures: Saturday 11 December - CSKA vs Arsenal; Sunday 12 December - Akhmat vs Khimki