Rustavi secured a clean 3-0 victory over Gagra in the Erovnuli liga's regular season round 22. The hosts opened up a commanding lead at home on Friday evening. Jean, S. Kessi and David Oliveira found the net across the second half. The result leaves Rustavi top of the table with 42 points after 23 games.
Jean broke the deadlock in the 56th minute to give Rustavi the lead they would not relinquish. S. Kessi doubled the advantage with a goal in the 85th minute before David Oliveira added a late third in stoppage time. Gagra had only one shot on target all afternoon and could not trouble the Rustavi defence. The visitors were overrun in midfield and never looked like mounting a response.
I. Skrypnyk received the first booking in the 37th minute for Gagra, while Rustavi's K. Kakashvili was cautioned in the 80th. G Chkheidze and A. Gujabidze went off with yellow cards in the closing stages for the visitors. Rustavi made seven substitutions during the game, bringing on Jean himself in the 74th minute. Gagra also reshuffled their side with several changes across the second half.
Rustavi dominated possession at 55 per cent and registered 112 attacks compared to Gagra's 80. The hosts landed eight shots on target with eight more off target, while Gagra managed just one shot on target from two attempts. Both sides won three corners each, but the difference in quality was clear. Rustavi's efficiency meant they did not need to let the game flow to control proceedings.
The victory extends Rustavi's unbeaten run to eight matches away from their only loss this season. Gagra remain in eighth place on 27 points, eight points adrift of the top six. The hosts saw out the match with authority and let the tie slip further from their opponents' grasp. Rustavi now hold a comfortable lead at the summit of the Erovnuli liga.