Columnists
In a year that showed Rubin"s first title...
in favor of Spaniard Juande Ramos in September, but the former Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur and Sevilla head coach lasted just seven weeks before Leonid Slutsky was brought in on a three-year contract.CSKA were fourth when Zico left and finished fifth, two points behind Zenit and Lokomotiv but securing Russia"s final European spot.
Khimki and Kuban, who again failed to last more than a season in the top division, will be replaced next year by Anzhi Makhachkala and Alania Vladikavkaz, doubling the number of trips to the volatile North Caucasus region.
Results
CSKA Moscow 3-0 Saturn
Kuban 0-3 Rubin
Khimki 1-3 Lokomotiv Moscow
FC Moskva 1-2 Dynamo Moscow
Krylya Sovetov 1-3 Tom Tomsk
Spartak Nalchik 4-2 Terek Grozny
Rostov 1-1 Amkar
Zenit St. Petersburg 2-1 Spartak Moscow
Final table (30 games)
Rubin 63
Spartak Moscow 55
Zenit St. Petersburg 54