Bunyodkor’s away match to Mashal was postponed and the defending champions now clash with Lokomotiv on October 24 at home, where a draw will suffice to keep the title under lock and key for Felipe Scolari’s men.

Sensing the chance to close the gap, Pakhtakor, the Uzbek Cup winners, made mince-meat of Navbahor, stacking up three goals in the first 45 minutes.

Alexander Geynrikh (three goals) and Odil Ahmedov (a brace) made merry while there were individual contributions from Gulom Urunov and Farhod Tadjiyev.

The big win pulled Pakhtakor up to 57 points with five rounds left while Bunyodkor have 71 points in their kitty.

STANDINGS (After round 25): 1. Bunyodkor 71, 2. Pakhtakor 57, 3. 3. Nasaf 49, 4. Almalyk 42, 5. Neftchi 39