Coming from another great performance from the Champions League, Zenit had to step up their game in the Russian championship, already left 8 points behind and chasing table leaders CSKA Moscow. Rostov on the other hand, sitting on fourth place, wanted to take advantage of Zenit’s weakness this season – Petrovsky stadium (8 points lost at home).
Kerzhakov, replacing Lodygin for second game had a quiet first half but showing his skills twice when needed kept the clean sheet for the hosts.
Hulk warned twice Rostov’s keeper (on-target foul kicks) with the breakthrough coming at the 26′ minute from Smolnikov, chipping the ball over Dzhanaev after the Brazilian’s through pass, 1-0.
Having been on excellent form so far this season, Hulk kept pressing, firing shots and creating, when Dzyuba met his curved foul kick at the 34′ minute, giving a two goal lead to Zenit for half-time.
Tempo dropped in second half with Rostov not being a threat to Kerzhakov and with Hulk’s third assist (five in two games), Danny shaped the final 3-0 that puts Zenit back in winning at Petrovsky stadium.
