Lokomotiv score at death to hold rivals CSKA

Finally!! A first away point!! With 2 minutes to spare, Lokomotiv were looking of heading to a fourth successive away defeat, but, apparently Kuzmin had other plans. Out of nowhere the fullback popped up in the 88th minute and let a shot which gave Akinfeev no chance. CSKA players looked at disbelieve, Lokomotiv players were ecstatic - as their fans, who for much of the match outnumbered their counterparts in their support for the red-green. Credit to them!! Anyways with regards to the match, it was one of those derbies which failed to reach it's expectations. Most of the play was stationed at the middle of the park, and actually there were very few chances for both parts. Neverthless, CSKA looked a slighlty little more creative in attack as for another time Lokomotiv's attack failed miserably to function. Sychev is still far from his best while Odemwingie was once again really poor - his first half was disastrous as he almost gave every ball to his opposition. On the other hand, Maicon showed some glimpses of quality as he seemed to be the only Lokomotiv player to get past an opposite player.

For the match against CSKA, Semin welcomed back Aleksandr Aliev who skipped last match due to injury. Tarasov was suspended and thus Denis Glushakov started in his place. Tomislav Dujmovic completed the midfield. Following his poor performance against Zenit, Traore was relegated to the bench in favour of Maicon. Odemwingie started on the right while Sychev moved up forward as a lone striker. The backline was identical of last match - Guilherme started in goal.

The match started in a rapid way as both teams came out looking for an early goal to settle down the nerves. Unfortunately it was CSKA who broke the deadlock within just 7 minutes. Ignashevich played a long ball to Guilherme, whose literally forgotten by Basha let a shot which which came off the same player, took a strange trajectory and eventually ended up in the net. Guilherme had no chance. 1 - 0 for CSKA. Lokomotiv's response took as long as ten minutes as Aliev from an ideal position crashed his freekick onto the crossbar. Soon after CSKA made it 2 - 0 but the goal was rightly ruled out as Guilherme seemed to be centremetres offside. Lokomotiv tried to reply, but although they had a good share of the possesion, Lokomotiv were unable to reach Akinfeev's goal. And eventually it was CSKA who threatened again as Chidi Odiah's was well parried away by the diving Guilherme. 1 - 0 was the score at the half-time.

The second half started the way the first ended. CSKA were happy to let Lokomotiv take the iniative and operate on the counter. Nevertheless Lokomotiv were literally toothless in attack- and actually although enjoying the much of possesion Lokomotiv failed miserably to threathen Akinfeev. Lokomotiv looked resigned and CSKA looked confident of heading home with the three points. However Oleg Kuzmin had other plans. Traore shielded the ball to Kuzmin, who after finding himself in the opposition's area, stormed into CSKA area's and let an angled shot onto the net, with the ball hitting the post on its way in. Simply a finish which the bunch in attack would dream of! Good goal from a player who probably had the best match of the season. There was no other final drama apart from the sending off of Yury Semin who was infuriated for the fact that the referee took no action for an elbow in the direction of Aliev. 1-1 was the final score - much to delight of the visiting crowd.

Player Ratings:

Guilherme - 6

No chance with the goal. Made nothing wrong.

Kuzmin - 7.5
Lokomotiv's best player on pitch. Kept Mark Gonzalez very quiet and then popped up to score a valuable equaliser.

Asatiani - 6.5

Composed as ever

Basha - 6

A pity, truly. The big defender rarely put a wrong foot in a whole match but unfortunately he seems that at times he suffer from a lapse of concentration - as the one it lead to the goal. Unlucky.

Yanbaev - 6.5

Neutralised Krasic threat very well.

Dujmovic - 6.5

Won some balls in the middle

Aliev - 7

Hit the post with a freekick. An influential figure for Lokomotiv.

Glushakov - 6

Ran relentlesly over the park

Odemwingie - 4.5

Was he wearing an invisible CSKA kit in the first half? Slighlty better in the second but nowhere to level to a player who is believed of being paid 3.5 million a year. The earlier he leaves the better - no longer comitted

Sychev - 5.5

Lacking fitness and yesterday service as well.

Maicon - 7

Good with the ball at his feet and forced the CSKA defenders to foul him. Sometimes tracked back to give a hand to the defensive department.

Substitutes

Traore - 6

His contribution was shielding the ball to provide the opportunity to Kuzmin to score.