Roberto Carlos, Brazilian co-manager of big-spending Anzhi Makhachkala, was left seeking his first win in the Russian Premiership as his side recorded a 1-1 draw at Spartak Nalchik on Sunday.
Anzhi, who are lying eighth and still in with a chance of playing for the title next year, started full of confidence and clinched the lead in the 28th minute.
Moroccan midfielder Mbark Boussoufa put Anzhi in front, scoring from close range after the Spartak defence failed to stop Samuel Eto'o's feeding pass.
But the hosts were saved with a last-minute goal by Magomed Mitrishev, who fired into an unguarded net from seven metres from Daniil Gridnev's precise cross after an error by Anzhi 'keeper Nukri Revishvili.
The result nevertheless put Anzhi on 42 points from 27 matches to stay seven points clear of their closest chasers FC Krasnodar.
"It was an interesting match," Anzhi interim manager Andrei Gordeyev said.
"We played well in attack today. We created plenty of opportunities but failed to score more than once and the opponents punished us for wasting our chances."
At Kazen, hosts Rubin ended nine-time champions Spartak Moscow's 11-match unbeaten streak, thrashing the Muscovites 3-0 to lift themselves into fifth.
Rubin's Ecuadorian skipper Christian Noboah put the hosts 1-0 up scoring from Roman Yeremenko's feeding pass through traffic six minutes after the interval.
Five minutes later forward Alexander Ryazantsev made it 2-0 after a mix-up in the Spartak defence.
Spartak's Nigerian forward Emmanuel Emenike reduced his team's chances to save the day after he was sent off for a second bookable offence just before one-hour mark.
Israeli midfielder Bebars Natcho added his goal in injury time to secure Rubin's well-deserved win.
Two-time Russian champions Lokomotiv Moscow extended their unbeaten streak to 11 matches after Portuguese manager Jose Couceiro took over the railway-backed side with a 3-0 win over the visitors Tomsk.
Bosnian midfielder Senijad Ibricic put Lokomotiv in front in the 20th minute with a precise spotkick after striker Marques Maicon was fouled in the area.
Midfielder Denis Glushakov and forward Dmitry Sychev added one apiece after the interval to complete the rout.
Source: AFP
