Zenit striker Pavel Pogrebniak struck the winning goal eight minutes from time, finishing coolly after being put through one-on-one with Lokomotiv goalkeeper Ivan Levenets.

Levenets had earlier endured a nightmare start to his Lokomotiv career by gifting Andrei Arshavin the opener in the 34th minute.

The goalkeeper, signed from Amkar Perm last month, prepared to start an attack by rolling the ball along the ground unaware that Arshavin was lurking behind him, allowing the Russian international to rob him of the ball and score with ease.

Lokomotiv's Brazilian defender Rodolfo equalised on 70 minutes following a Peter Odemwingie free-kick before Pogrebniak won it for Dick Advocaat's men.

Dmitri Torbinsky, another Lokomotiv debutant signed from neighbours Spartak in the close season, also experienced a miserable debut after he was sent-off for two yellow cards despite only coming on as a substitute at half-time.

Zenit substitute Vladislav Radimov, who was sitting on the bench and not involved with play, was also shown a red card for unsporting behaviour after an incident involving the dismissed Torbinsky, while Zenit defender Ivica Krizanac also saw red in stoppage time.