CSKA secure Russian title for fourth time

A goalless home draw against FC Kuban Krasnodar was enough for PFC CSKA Moskva to secure their fourth Russian league title with a match to spare.

Since CSKA needed only a point to be crowned and Kuban are in a tight tussle to secure third place, both sides were understandably cautious. Ahmed Musa threatened several times for CSKA but was thwarted by either goalkeeper Aleksandr Belenov or the defenders in front of him. It was Kuban, though, who had the best chance on 89 minutes, Ibrahima Baldé heading straight at Igor Akinfeev. CSKA survived to secure their fourth top-flight trophy.

"I am happy it ended like that," said coach Leonid Slutski, a title winner for the first time. "We deserve to be champions. To our fans, this cup is yours! Throughout the whole season you kept proving that you were CSKA's biggest asset. CSKA will always be first!" CSKA midfielder Pontus Wernbloom added: "Many great people tried to conquer Russia and failed – but I did it! The day we became champions is one of the happiest of my life. I will be telling my grandchildren about it, I will be remembering it on my deathbed."

CSKA, who were eliminated the play-off stage of this season's UEFA Europa League, will go straight into the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League group stage.