Alashkert beat Ararat 3:0 in the first round of the Premier League on Sunday. The hosts led from the penalty at 54 minutes and added a second to seal the win. The result moves Alashkert further clear at third place.
K. Nalbandyan converted a spot-kick at 54 minutes. D. J. Massoumou doubled the advantage with a goal at 75 minutes and added another four minutes later. Ararat had already lost their way by then, with yellow cards for N. Alaverdyan and P. Ejike before half-time showing the growing pressure.
Alashkert changed shape at the break, bringing on J. Sabobo at 46 minutes. The visitors tried to hold every card but could not stop the run. M. Fofana and H. Adebayo came on for the hosts at 56 and 68 minutes, keeping the tempo up.
Alashkert sit third with 13 points from six games, one win more than they had before the weekend. Ararat remain tenth on three points after five defeats. The gap at the bottom is widening.
The visitors had not lost a league game since May, but this result ended that run. Alashkert cannot afford another slip if they want to stay in contention. The table goes out of the window in these games, but form matters when you are chasing points.