Zenit wins to extend lead

Zenit netted twice in the opening 31 minutes through Danny and Sergei Semak to take charge of its match and even though Lokomotiv pulled a goal back before the break through Dennis Glushakov, it was not enough to deny the pace-setter.

The victory guaranteed Luciano Spalletti's men would remain in top spot heading into the winter break, but it got even better for Zenit as its nearest challenger CSKA Moscow suffered its second successive defeat in the champions group.

Host Anzhi Makhachkala took the lead through Shamil Lakhiyalov just after half-time but CSKA drew level moments later when Vagner Love netted.

The match looked to be heading for a draw but, after CSKA had lost goalkeeper Sergei Chepchugov to a late red card, Cameroon ace Samuel Eto'o slotted in an 88th-minute penalty to earn Anzhi the points.

The other two matches - played on the final day of Premier League matches in 2011 - were in the relegation group.

Bottom club Tomsk is six points adrift at the foot of the standings after its goalless home draw with Krasnodar while Rostov and Amkar Perm played out a 1-1 tie.

Krasnodar, which is six points clear at top of the relegation group, took the lead through Razvan Cocis in the 33rd minute but Aleksandr Kolomeytsev drew Amkar level just before the hour to salvage a draw for his side.