Zenit St Petersburg drew 1-1 against CSKA Moscow in the Russian Premier League on Saturday (20th August).

Last season's Russian Premier League champions CSKA Moscow visited Saint Petersburg on Saturday (20th August) needing a draw to go top of the table.

After three games, Zenit started the day in sixth position.

The hosts almost went ahead after six minutes when Aleksandr Kokorin was left clear in front of goal - but a great save from Igor Akinfeev kept the scores level.

It was CSKA Moscow who broke the deadlock in the 24th minute when the ball fell to Roman Eremenko from a corner.

The Finland international volleyed the ball past goalkeeper Yuri Lodygin to claim his second goal of the season - one goal fewer than the total he scored last campaign.

Zenit responded just before half-time when birthday boy Yuri Zhirkov latched on to a cross and headed the ball into the back of the net.

The midfielder celebrating his 33rd birthday by scoring against his former club.

Both teams had opportunities to take the victory - but the best chance fell to 29-year-old midfielder Eremenko when a cross found him in front of goal, but he could only steer his effort it into the hands grateful Lodygin.

That's how it ended - 1-1.