CSKA thrash Lokomotiv to go level with leaders

The top three all have 45 points from 19 matches and are only separated by goal difference with newcomers Ludogorets, based in Razgrad, a town of less than 35,000 people, aiming for the first league title in their 67-year history.

Anton Karachanakov put CSKA in front with a spectacular curling shot midway through the first half and their Cameroon midfielder Njongo Priso doubled the lead 15 minutes from time.

“I would like to apologise but he [Mladenov] can’t speak,” Nankov said.