Spartak Moscow bounced back from their Champions League defeat from Barcelona by winning 3-1 at home to Rostov.
A double from Nigerian striker Emmanuel Emenike either side of a strike from Ari put the home side in the driving seat before former Liverpool striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle scored an 88th minute consolation for the visitors.
After three matches without a win the points were welcomed by the home side who remain six points behind leaders CSKA Moscow at the top of the table.
“We didn’t start the game well but it was important to give our fans a home win,” Emenike said. “The scoreline may sound easy but it was a tough match.
“We knew that we played well in Barcelona but ended up with nothing, picking up three points is always more important.”
On Wednesday Spartak travel to face Salyut Belgorod before facing ninth placed Amkar Perm away on Friday night ahead of meeting Celtic.
In La Liga Barcelona had to wait until the 87th minute to make the breakthrough against Granada.
The visitors haven’t won a game all season but it took a late strike from substitute Xavi and an own goal by Borja Gómez in injury time to maintain Barca’s 100% record.
Injuries to Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol forced Barcelona to field Javier Mascherano and Alex Song in central defence with coach Tito Vilanova relieved to emerge with all three points.
“What was important was to make it 15 points out of 15,” he said. “The key tonight was scoring the first goal, which helped open up their side. We put in a great performance tonight nevertheless.”
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