Krasnodar thrash Krylia Sovetov to keep tabs on Russian leaders Zenit
The club from Russia's southern city of Krasnodar chalked up a 3-0 away win at Samara on Monday to jump into second spot in the Russian Premier League table.
Two goals by Brazilian striker Ari and a strike by Magomed-Shapi Suleymanov set Krasnodar on their way to a confident win, which left them six points behind leaders Zenit St Petersburg.
Rostov and Spartak Moscow share third spot, both one point further back.
"It was a tough game just like we expected," Krasnodar coach Oleg Fomenko said. "But we dominated the play and possession and scored three goals. We're happy and proud of this win."
Krasnodar were on top from the start but squandered chance after chance until the 69th minute when Ari beat Samara 'keeper Sergei Ryzhikov with a well-struck free-kick from just outside the area.
Two minutes later the Swede Viktor Claesson found the unmarked Ari in the area and the Brazilian netted firing the ball into the top right-hand corner.
Krasnodar's 18-year-old second-half substitute forward Suleymanov rounded off the scoring with a powerful 22-yard shot with nine minutes to go.