CSKA find elusive victory against Beşiktaş

Alan Dzagoev and Miloš Krasić struck in each half to secure a long-awaited home win for PFC CSKA Moskva and leave Beşiktaş JK adrift at the bottom of UEFA Champions League Group B.

Valuable victory
Both teams tasted defeat on Matchday 1 and CSKA had not enjoyed a UEFA Champions League victory in Moscow since October 2006, yet it was the home side who responded more positively. Dzagoev opened the scoring within seven minutes, before a fine individual effort from Krasić doubled the advantage just past the hour. Although Ekrem Dağ ended the visitors' long scoreless run in added time, it was too little too late for Beşiktaş, who will go into their double-header against VfL Wolfsburg knowing their hopes already hang by a thread.

Positive start
CSKA have no such worries ahead of their home and away fixtures against Manchester United FC, having quickly showed their continued improvement under new coach Juande Ramos. The Muscovites immediately seized the initiative and converted their first chance. When a long ball, combined with Tomáš Necid's delicate back-heel, gave Dzagoev space outside the box, the 19-year-old took the ball in his stride before unleashing a dipping shot that caught Rüştü Reçber off his line and found the top corner.

Momentum builds
The hosts, who had failed to win a home game in their previous UEFA Champions League campaign in 2007/08, refused to sit back and quickly created further opportunities. Rüştü kept out Mark González's header from a Chidi Odiah cross, then grabbed Krasić's weak shot at the far post before a quick break caught CSKA's defence off guard. Filip Hološko charged clear only for CSKA keeper Igor Akinfeev to race off his line and block. That proved to be the Turkish team's best opening of the half, CSKA restricting them to long shots that lacked accuracy or crosses that were easily dealt with by Akinfeev.

Late flurry
Visiting coach Mustafa Denizli had to replace injured forward Hološko with Yusuf Şimşek midway through the half although his charges might have been back on level terms before the interval. A rare starter, Odiah lost possession and allowed Beşiktaş captain Mert Nobre to advance and unleash a fizzing 25-metre strike which Akinfeev tipped over. CSKA then nearly doubled their advantage, however, González's free-kick rocketing centimetres wide of the far post with Rüştü beaten.

Momentum turns
Beşiktaş started the second half in more determined mood and were soon pushing CSKA back. After a succession of corners, Turkey's champions finally produced a clear-cut opportunity when Dağ cut into the area and crossed low, but Nihat Kahveci miscued. The Army Men rode out the storm and managed to break through the opposition back line on the counterattack, only for Necid to shoot over with just Rüştü for company.

Krasić strikes
Krasić made no such mistake in the 61st minute, beating İsmail Köybaşı and then Matteo Ferrari with a superb solo run before firing in the second. Dağ did conjure up Beşiktaş's consolation goal two minutes into added time – their first score in six competitive outings – yet it was too little too late for the Istanbul side.