Neftchi opened their account with a penalty by Aziz Alijonov (17) but this was quickly neutralised by Alexander Vostrikov four minutes later.

However, further goals from Askar Muhitdinov (44), Anvar Berdyev (78) and Umid Bokiev (86) sealed the Fergana side’s 11th win in 19 games. They are now on 38 points, trailing second-placed Pakhtakor (46) and pace-setters Kuruvchi (51).

UzDongJu continued to hog the bottom slot despite a 2-2 draw with Kyzylkum.

The scorers for UzDongJu were Zurab Avaliani (29) and Isroil Tursunov (64) while Ahrol Riskullaev (19) reduced the deficit for Kyzylkum before UzDongJu player Denis Azizov’s 75th minute own goal leveled the proceedings.

In other matches, Lokomotiv struggled to edge Navbahor 3-2, Dynamo beat Andijan 3-1, Shurtan lost to Metallurg 1-2 and Sogdiana scraped past Nasaf 2-1.