Chernomorets Novorossiysk claimed a hard-fought 2-1 home victory over FC Sochi in a Russian First League derby-style clash on May 24, 2025. This win provides a significant boost for Chernomorets in their league campaign, coming against a fellow contender in a tense and physical match. Chernomorets started with intensity and were rewarded with an early goal, but Sochi demonstrated their quality by equalizing before the break. The second half was a cagey affair, with the decisive moment coming from a Chernomorets set-piece that was powerfully headed home, sending the home crowd into delirium. The match result shakes up the standings in the upper half of the table, with Chernomorets gaining valuable ground. The Sochi manager rued his team's inability to defend key moments, while the Chernomorets coach hailed the character and fighting spirit of his players.