Spartak leveled matters ten minutes later after a free-kick from Alex. The Brazilian hit the post, but the ball ricocheted into the net off Akinfeev’s back, upsetting the Russian international.

Two goal scorers came into focus seconds after the game resumed as Šemberas committed a rough fault on Alex and was given a yellow card.

Tension was mounting and it was Spartak who looked a lot more dangerous in offensive play. Another stab from Alex was denied by the post, even though he managed to win an aerial battle against the tall Army Men defenders.

CSKA have only won once since Yury Zhirkov's departure to Chelsea at the beginning of the month, and coach Zico is having trouble adopting the team’s tactics accordingly. Winger Milos Krasic was his usual lively self, becoming the reason for both Spartak’s bookings in the first half, but very little threat came from the other flank.

Spartak had a great opportunity to take the lead at the end of the first half. Akinfeev reached for Welliton’s shot, redirecting it into the post and Denis Boyarintsev, who was first on the rebound, somehow failed to score into an empty net.

No substitutions were made during the interval, so the course off game didn’t change much after the break. Spartak pressure resulted in a penalty at 63 minutes. Sergey Kovalchuk deprived Sergey Ignashevich the ball in the CSKA box and the defender could do nothing but bring his rival down.

Alex left no chances to Akinfeev from the spot, making it 2-1 and grabbing his second goal of the game. However, Spartak’s celebrations were cut short two minutes later as Kovalchuk was sent off for a second booking.

CSKA finished the game with four strikers. Zico introduced Tomas Necid, Ouwo Moussa Maazou and Ricardo Jesus to help lone striker Vagner Love.

The move didn’t work out so well, as Spartak used gaps in the Army Men’s defense to create sharp counter-attacks. The woodwork helped CSKA once again after an effort from Rafael Carioca and youngster Pavel Yakovlev tested Akinfeev seconds after coming from the bench.

Another counterattack saw Vagner Love red-carded after his fault on Welliton, who escaped the CSKA defense. The final whistle saw the match end 2-1.

“We had a good start in the game, but then made several mistakes. And if you commit fouls against a team with many free-kick specialists, it may lead to sad consequences,” Zico, CSKA head coach, said.

“We showed everything a high level team has to provide: ball control, unity, and character. We played like a real team,” Spartak coach Sergey Rodionov stressed.

Spartak have beaten their archrivals for the second time in a row. Their previous win came last year after a seven-and-a-half year wait.

Three points earned at the packed Luzhniki stadium see the Muscovites move within just one point from Premier League leaders Rubin Kazan.

Spartak Nalchik 0-0 FC Moscow

FC Moscow have failed to leapfrog leaders Rubin at the top of the table as the citizens could only manage a goalless draw away to Spartak Nalchik.

Miodrag Bozhovich’s men had more of the ball in both halves, but failed to turn that advantage into goals. The hosts also had several chances, but were equally wasteful in front of goal.

The score means that instead of finishing the first half of the championship on top, the Muscovites end it in third – behind Spartak Moscow on goal difference.

Kuban Krasnodar 1-1 Terek Grozny

The day’s final game saw Kuban host mid-table Terek. Alan Kasaev opened the scoring for the home side, before Valentin Iliev headed home right before the break.

No goals followed in the second half, so one-all was the final score in Krasnodar.