MOSCOW (AFP) - Lokomotiv Moscow clinched their second Russian Premier League title with a well-deserved 2-0 away win at Yaroslavl on the final day of the championship.
The result secured the top spot for Lokomotiv, who finished with 61 points after 30 matches, one point ahead of city-rivals CSKA Moscow, who also won their last match 4-1 at FC Moscow.
A 2-1 away win at Ramenskoye gave Samara the third spot ahead of Saint Petersburg, who also collected 56 points.
Ninteen-year-old midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov netted the opening goal for Lokomotiv with a shot from 13-metres out just four minutes into the game, with Russian international striker Dmitry Sychev claiming the second after 21 minutes with a precise shot from just inside the box.
The hosts created several chances but to no avail as the guests defended stoutly and managed to keep their net clean before the break.
After the restart Lokomotiv were able to sit on their advantage, threatening the hosts' net on the counter-attacks and experiencing few troubles on their way to securing their second domestic title.
Meanwhile, 2003 champions CSKA were trailing 1-0 in their derby clash with FC Moscow after Ghanian striker Baba Adamu opened the score in the 10th minute with a poke from the edge of the six-yard box.
The Red Army squadron replied positively, pinning their rivals back and created a set of opportunities but missed them all before the 43rd minute, when CSKA skipper Sergei Semak levelled from close range.
Three minutes after the interval CSKA went into a 2-1 lead after Brazilian marksman Vagner Love beat FC Moscow goalie Alexander Filimonov from 10 yards after Czech midfield teammate Jiri Jarosik's feeder into the box.
Brazilian forward Daniel Carvalho added his goal with a well-struck freekick, while Vagner Love netted his second of the match to secure a comfortable win for CSKA which was not however enough to claim the title.
Meanwhile, Volgograd and Krasnodar were relegated and will be replaced by Terek Grozny and Tomsk in the Premier League next season.
11/12/2004 - 18:13 GMT - AFP