Milan Pavkov and Aleksandar Katai maintained their fine goalscoring form as Crvena zvezda showed a fine performance in a 2-1 Superliga win at Čukarički.
Ground: FK Čukarički
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Miloš Milanović
Goalscorers: Jovanović 89 - Pavkov 40, Katai 57
Čukarički: Mićović, Docić, Jovanović, Radojičić (67 Rogan), Tanasijević (67 Drezgić), Kajević (75 Čolić), Čolović (46 Savić), Šapić, Janković, Roganović, Lukić (67 Ergelaš).
Substitutes not used: Petrović, Rakonjac, Baić, Campbell, N'Diaye.
Crvena zvezda: Borjan, Eraković, Degenek, Dragović, Rodić (81 Stanić), Sanogo, Kanga (86 Nikolić), Ivanić (74 Krstičić), Ben, Katai (81 Srnić), Pavkov (86 Diony).
Substitutes not used: Gordić, Gajić, Pankov, Falco, Petrović, Gobeljić.
As boss Dejan Stanković put it afer the match, this was our best performance of the season. Tactically immaculate and focused, the red and whites dominated from start to finish, scored goals at good moments and were well worth the points tonight.
The only lapse of in concentation was the late conceded goal, but our win never looked in doubt.
Milan Pavkov scored the opening goal just before the break with a perfectly-executed header from a right-wing cross by Guelor Kanga just before the break. It was no less than the red and whites deserved on a night when the pitch provided additional woes. The ball wouldn't roll properly due to muddy patches after a few days of heavy rainfall in Belgrade.
But out team did everything to remain in the hunt for the Superliga top spot.
Aleksandar Katai added the second just before the hour mark when he cut into the box from left wing and fired whith his left straight to the goalkeeper. However, our playmaker never stopped moving and he was the first to get onto the rebound and tuck it away with his right to make it 2-0.
A Miloš Degenek slip allowed Čukarički to reduce the deficit late on, but it proved no more than a consolation goal by Đorđe Jovanović.
The match at Banovo Brdo saw our summer recruit Petar Stanić make his competitive debut for the red and whites.
After a good win in Cluj and safe passage into Europa League group stage, the win at Ćukarički made it a perfect week.
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