Anzhi Makhachkala have proved their status as Russian Premier League title contenders with an emphatic 2-0 win over depleted table-toppers CSKA Moscow.

The Muscovites, who were missing key midfielders Alan Dzagoev and Pontus Vernblum, lacked attacking venom. Their situation got even worse when they were reduced to 10 men after Aleksandrs Cauna picked up his second booking in first-half stoppage time.

Guus Hiddink’s charges couldn’t but make use of the advantage. One of the world’s tallest footballers, Lacina Traore, proved that size really matter when it comes to scoring goals. The giant Ivorian stretched to nod in a cross from Mbark Boussoufa, who made a fool of CSKA defender Kirill Nababkin moments before that.

Eto’o tricked Nababkin once again as Anzhi scored their second on 78 minutes, waltzing through the CSKA defense before sending a low cross for Boussoufa to tap in.

CSKA’s poor discipline on the day almost cost them again on 84 minutes when Vasily Berezutsky tripped Anzhi’s Yuri Zhirkov in the box, but the referee declined to award a penalty. However, the hosts didn’t appeal to the referee, knowing victory was already in their hands.

The win puts Anzhi, so far unbeaten at home, level on points with CSKA. While the Army Men, who cling to the top spot by virtue of having won more games, slumped to their first defeat in eight league games after struggling to a 1-1 draw with third-placed Zenit St. Petersburg on Monday.

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