Run Of Four!

Lokomotiv beat SKA-Khabarovsk in Gameweek 4 of the ROSGOSSTRAKH Russian Championship, claiming maximum points in four games.

August 5th is a historic day for Lokomotiv. Its two arenas have got new names - the big one is now called the RZD Arena, and the small one - the Sapsan Arena. A big colourful banner welcomed the visitors.

And there was Dmitriy Sychyov. One of the best strikers in the history of the club was signing cards for a big crowd at the steam locomotive.

Our agronomists had their own surprise for the public. In the central circle, they had mown number "95" to mark the club's anniversary.

Lokomotiv dominated in the first half, with attempts stats 9:2 for the home side. However, none of the attempts ended in a goal. Fernandes and Farfan set up the most promising scoring opportunity in the 6th minute. Ignatyev passed to the box where both Manu and Jeff could finish, the Peruvian reached the ball but the final touch was limp.

Head coach Yuriy Syomin decided to make changes to the lineup before the break. Barinov was subbed off for Anton Miranchuk in a move that changed the tactics to the one with four defenders.

Early in the second half Alexey Miranchuk had a wonderful opportunity after entering the box from the right. The midfielder had a go from five metres but the opposition's keeper Krivoruchko had left the goal to effectively cut the angle a moment earlier.

On 67 minutes there was another good chance to take a lead. Fernandes crossed to Tarasov in the box but Dmitriy missed the target.

But we managed to score in the third try. Alexey Miranchuk got through a hard tackle by Putsko but took revenge a second later curving the ball to an upper corner - 1:0!

The Railroaders created several other chances before the final whistle. Anton Miranchuk went for glory twice but both times defenders got in the way. Fernandes could double but his attempt shook a post.

Lokomotiv have secured a fourth consecutive win and kept a clean sheet at home. We are on the top of the table!

ROSGOSSTRAKH Russian Championship. Gameweek 4.

Lokomotiv - SKA-Khabarovsk - 1:0 (0:0)
Goals: Al. Miranchuk, 75 (1:0)

Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Ignatyev, Barinov (An. Miracnhuk, 39), Kverkvelia, Pejcinovic, Rybus, Tarasov (Kolomeytsev, 69), I.Denisov, Fernandes, Al. Miranchuk, Farfan (Rotenberg, 92)
SKA-Khabarovsk: Krivoruchko, Tishkin, Putsko, Gabulov (Koryan, 78), Nikiforov, Dimidko, Balyaykin, Kobyalko (Markovic, 68), Grishko, Dedechko (Kalinskiy, 80), Navalovskiy
Bookings: Dimidko, 49. Balyaykin, 61.
Referee: Sergey Lapochkin (St Petersburg)
August 5th, 2017. Moscow. RZD Arena.