Greg . 2 days ago

Allsvenskan review: Malmo put European woe behind them as Elfsborg slip again

Saturday's action in Round 20 of the Allsvenskan saw Malmo put their crushing defeat to Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League behind them with a big win away at Halmstad, while Norrkoping have further dented Elfsborg's fading title hopes with a home win.

After the 5-0 loss in Denmark in midweek, Malmo could be forgiven for either suffering a bit of a hangover, or focusing on Thursday's first leg in the UEFA Europa League against Sigma Olomouc.

But instead, they came flying out of the blocks in Halmstad in a highly professional performance, which saw them take the lead inside 15 minutes, when a towering Daniel Tristan Gudjohnsen header powered in Otto Rosengren's corner.

20 minutes later it was 2-0 and again a Rosengren corner provided the platform - this time Gudjohnsen flicked the ball on at the near post to Colin Rosler on the far side, and he managed to squeeze the ball past goalkeeper Tim Erlandsson.

The match was all but over with a minute of the first half to play, as Taha Ali began and finished an intricate attacking transfer when cutting in from the left side.

The ball was played low across the six-yard box by Jens Stryger and Ali was on hand to tap home number three.

The half-time break did nothing for Halmstad's ability to defend corners, as eight minutes into the second half, another such set piece was prodded down by Rosler to the feet of Sead Haksabanovic, and the attacker slotted in number four for MFF.

Malmo have 10 matches to play in the league and will be 13 points behind Mjallby if the leaders beat Djurgarden today, but they haven't given up their title defence just yet.

Halmstad remain 12th, but could be in the bottom two come the end of the weekend if results go against them.

Malmo would have at least been encouraged by seeing themselves transfer from fourth into third for the time being, after Norrkoping did them a favour by beating Elfsborg 2-1 at home.

It's the second disappointing result in as many weekends for Di Gule after they drew with basement-dwellers Varnamo at home last time out, as their title ambitions rapidly fade.

Norrkoping came into this winless in three, but found themselves a goal ahead on 18 minutes when a cross from the left wasn't dealt with by the defence, and David Moberg Karlsson was on hand to gobble up the opportunity.

Early in the second half, Elfsborg were fortunate not to give away a penalty when the referee awarded a free-kick against Besfort Zeneli, despite the foul seemingly take place just inside the area.

Their luck was in again as th match entered its final quarter - a Simon Hedlund cross from the right took a deflection, looping the ball up to drop perfectly onto the head of Ari Sigurpalsson, who nodded in the equaliser.

But the visitors' luck ran out 10 minutes later, as Norrkoping were awarded the penalty they perhaps deserved, even if Wenderson was unfortunate to commit a handball offence.

Arnor Traustasson made no mistake with the spot-kick, rolling the ball home to take Norrkoping four points clear of Halmstad and put real daylight between themselves and the relegation scrap.

Elfsborg will drop to fifth today if AIK can end their winless run by beating Goteborg.

Follow the rest of this weekend's Allsvenskan matches on Betopick.