Two second-half goals from Brazilian star forward Hulk helped Zenit shutout second-placed CSKA Moscow 2-0 in a Russian Premier League football.
A CSKA win would have moved them ahead of Rostov at the top of league standings. Instead the win keeps Zenit's hopes alive for another Russian Premier League title, reports Xinhua news agency.
The win, in Petrovsky stadium here on Sunday, boosts Zenit into fourth place in the overall standings, one point behind Lokomotiv Moscow, who defeated Rubin Kazan, and four points behind league leader Rostov.
"We haven't won three matches in a row for a long time," said Zenit head coach Andre Villas Boas on Sunday.
"It's a very important win but we still have to recover some points."
Zenit seemingly controlled the pace of the match from the start at home against CSKA. Midfielder Danny sent the ball into the net in the 23rd minute but the goal was ruled offside.
After a scoreless first half for both clubs, Zenit's Brazilian star Hulk notched two goals, the first in the 54th minute from the box, and in the 79th minute on a winding free kick.
CSKA's strong league start of 15 consecutive wins has now been nullified after losing five of its last eight games. Zenit meanwhile has won three straight matches.
FC Zenit will both play next Saturday against FK Amkar Perm while CSKA Moscow faces Mordovia Saransk. FC Rostov remains in the top position of Russian Premier League standings following its 2-0 win over Spartak Moscow.
