Lokomotiv Moskva ease past Skënderbeu

• Lokomotiv Moskva make it two wins from two in Group H
• Baye Oumar Niasse scores in his fourth consecutive outing
• The Russian side record first home European victory in over three years
• Albanian representative Skënderbeu still await their first European goal
• Next games: Lokomotiv Moskva v Beşiktaş, Sporting CP v Skënderbeu (22 October)

Lokomotiv Moskva made it two wins in as many UEFA Europa League Group H matches with a 2-0 victory over an energetic Skënderbeu side.

A goal in each half from Baye Oumar Niasse and Aleksandr Samedov sufficed for the home team as they eased to their first home victory in Europe since February 2012.

Lokomotiv took time getting into the game against a spirited Skënderbeu outfit who defied their lack of European experience to pose the home defence a few questions.

Yet it was the Railwaymen who struck first on 35 minutes. Renat Yanbaev broke free down the right and his pinpoint cross was met by the unmarked Niasse. The stranded Orges Shehi had no chance against his powerful header.

Though the visitors were visibly deflated by the goal, Bernard Berisha remained a constant livewire for the side from Korce. The 23-year-old curled a right-footed effort just past goalkeeper Guilherme's upright early in the second half.

Moments later, Hamdi Salihi almost restored parity as he hooked the ball towards goal with Guilherme out of position. The Brazilian recovered well to claw the ball away and out for a corner.

The Russian team made the points safe with 17 minutes to go after a defensive mix-up, failing to deal with Vedran Ćorluka's long pass. The ball dropped perfectly for Samedov on the edge of the area, and the Russian international sent it into the empty net.

Key man: Aleksandr Samedov
The 31-year-old continued his rich vein of form in this competition with his third goal in two outings. He was a constant threat down the right flank.

A way back for Skënderbeu?
The Albanian champions showed enough against experienced opponents to give their coaching staff confidence going forward. They may lack experience, but they have impressive individuals such as Berisha, who will cause defences problems throughout the group stage.