CSKA too good for ten-man Palermo

PFC CSKA Moskva missed a penalty midway through the first half but nevertheless cruised to a 3-0 win at US Città di Palermo to go five points clear at the top of UEFA Europa League Group F.

Vágner Love spurned CSKA's first-half spot kick but two goals from Seydou Doumbia put the visitors two up within the hour. Javier Pastore's dismissal with 16 minutes remaining ended Palermo's hopes of a comeback and substitute Tomáš Necid completed the scoring with eight minutes remaining to ensure CSKA's perfect start to the campaign continues.

That was not always a formality in Sicily, with Palermo – inspired by Pastore – threatening on the break early on. CSKA showed their own menace on the counterattack on 22 minutes, Mark González racing clear only to be felled by Francesco Benussi in the penalty area. The home goalkeeper made amends by repelling Love's penalty.

The Russian side did not have to wait long to take the lead, Doumbia showing his aerial prowess on 34 minutes by heading in Kirill Nababkin's cross from the right. Doumbia was only denied a second before half-time by Dorin Nicolae Goian's timely tackle but was on the mark again on 59 minutes, dribbling past Pajtim Kasami and Goian before beating Benussi with a precise shot.

Necid replaced the double goalscorer and immediately sent a shot whistling wide. He made no mistake eight minutes after Pastore had been shown a second yellow card, firing in Sekou Oliseh's cross to put the result beyond doubt.