Zenit St Petersburg are course to keep their place at the top of Group H after Artyom Dzyuba put his side in front against Belgian side Gent.

Andre Villas-Boas, who will leave his role as manager of the Russian club at the end of the season, almost saw his side make an early breakthrough when Ezequiel Garay's free kick curled over the wall, but his effort was met by a strong hand from keeper Matz Sels.

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The hosts almost scored from the resulting corner too after Hulk saw his shot cleared as far as Igor Smolnikov, who found Axel Witsel, but the Belgian's strike was turned over the bar by Sels.

Zenit were threatening again on nine minutes as Hulk's in-swinging corner was headed towards goal by Nicolas Lombaerts before a flick-on by Danny was met by another stop from Sels.

The home side then wasted another chance as Dzyuba latched onto a pass from Smolnikov, but the Russian international was unable to steer his shot on target.

Moments later, Renato Neto also used his pace to good effect as he attacked the Zenit backline, but was dispossessed by a sliding tackle from Aleksandr Anyukov to clear the danger.

However, the hosts took the lead 10 minutes before the break when Hulk's pinpoint cross was headed into the top corner by Dzyuba.