CSKA scores 7 to take back top spot in Russian league

MOSCOW (AP) - CSKA Moscow took back the lead of the Russian Premier League in style on Saturday with a 7-1 demolition of Mordovia Saransk.

CSKA scored five goals in the first half-hour as last-place Mordovia failed to put up any fight.

Mordovia defender Igor Shitov opened the scoring with an own goal as he tried to clear a cross, before Roman Eremenko, Alexander Golovin, Ahmed Musa and Sergei Ignashevich all scored for CSKA.

Mordovia scored a consolation goal through Sergei Samodin in the second half but more goals followed from Eremenko and Alan Dzagoev as CSKA racked up the biggest win in the Russian Premier League this season.

The victory lifts CSKA one point above surprise title contender FC Rostov, which failed to impress Friday evening in a 0-0 draw with relegation-threatened Anzhi Makhachkala.

In a game with few scoring chances, Anzhi came closest when Yannick Boli put the ball in the net, though the referee ruled he had fouled the Rostov goalkeeper in the process.

Reigning champion Zenit St. Petersburg rose to third place Saturday with a 2-0 win against Amkar Perm as its recovery after the winter break continued.

Zenit took the lead in the 30th when Artyom Dzyuba scored his 100th career goal with ease, heading into an empty net after teammate Oleg Shatov hit the bar.

Amkar was rarely a threat and Zenit wrapped up the win in the 86th when winter signing Alexander Kokorin scored his first goal for his new club.

Zenit sits three points off the top and two behind Rostov, but could lose third place to Lokomotiv Moscow if the Railwaymen beat Krylya Sovetov Samara on Monday.