Prague's Slavia thrashed Brno's Zbrojovka 4-0 in the seventh round of the Czech football league, matching their recent derby scoreline against Sparta. The reigning champions extended their unbeaten run this season and, with games in hand, lead the table by four points over their nearest rivals.
For the Red-and-Whites, the win was perfect preparation for Thursday's Champions League group-stage opener against France's Lens. Brno's league newcomers, meanwhile, suffered only their second defeat of the season and slipped to fourth place in the standings.
Slavia coach Jindřich Trpišovský made three changes to his starting lineup from the derby: Isife returned to the side, forward Chorý played for the first time this season following a disciplinary suspension, and summer signing Kubiak made his debut after recovering from injury.
The match began with a protest from home fans — the supporters' section unveiled a banner reading "Stop Criminalising Fans" and withheld their vocal support for the first ten minutes. Zbrojovka held their own against the favourites early on and created their first real chance only in the 20th minute, but goalkeeper Gerdina read the shot well.
The hosts were forced into two early substitutions, with injured internationals Zima and Provod replaced by Vlček and Ayaosi. In the 38th minute, referee Jan Beneš awarded a penalty for a foul on Chorý inside the box — to the visitors' dismay. The fouled player converted the spot kick himself, despite the goalkeeper guessing the right direction — his 19th penalty of his league career.
After the break Zbrojovka pushed forward but wasted a couple of chances. In the 65th minute, Chorý netted his second: after a low pass from Isife, he was challenged by a defender, and the ball deflected off his foot into the net. It was the first time since the March derby against Sparta that the Czech international had scored twice in a match, though he once again fell just short of his first league hat-trick.
In the 76th minute the hosts wrapped up the win — Sturm's elegant back-heel set up substitute Ayaosi, and the summer arrival from Karviná gave the goalkeeper no chance. The Nigerian winger repeated his derby heroics, notching his third goal of the season.
Substitute Jurášek put the finishing touch on the match in the 88th minute, scoring immediately after returning from injury with a well-timed counterattack finish.
Slavia scored at least four goals in a single match for the third time this season — they previously won 4-0 by the same scoreline in Ostrava. With 21 goals scored, the Prague club boasts the league's best attack. Against Zbrojovka, the Red-and-Whites picked up points in a tenth straight match, and extended their home record at Eden, where they've lost just once in their last 51 league matches — and even that was a technical defeat in May's derby.
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Source: sport.cz