Russia round-up: Kebe on song for Spartak

Two second-half goals from Senegalese winger Ibra Kebe sent Russian champions FC Spartak Moscow back to the top of the Russian Premier League today with a 2-1 win over FC Alania Vladikavkaz.

Lokomotiv second
The win, Spartak's tenth in their last 12 matches, looked unlikely when Georgian striker Georgi Demetradze put Alania 1-0 ahead 16 minutes into the game, but Kebe struck twice in a five-minute period shortly after the interval to move Spartak on to 46 points from 22 matches, a point ahead of city rivals FC Lokomotiv Moscow, who have two games in hand.

Demetradze curler
Demetradze beat former Russia goalkeeper Stanislav Cherchesov with a curving shot from the edge of the box to give the visitors the lead. But Spartak, playing without injured captain Ygor Titov and Ukrainian defender Dmitry Parfyonov, came storming back after the break.

Kebe pounces
Kebe pounced on a loose ball following a corner, finishing from close range in the 56th minute for only his second goal of the campaign. Five minutes later the 23-year-old, in his first season with the Moscow side, beat Alania goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov with a rising shot into the top corner.

Spartak hold on
Alania, who beat Spartak 4-3 at home in the first half of the season in April, pressed hard for an equaliser late in the game, but Spartak held on.