Greg . 10 hours ago

Allsvenskan review: Elfsborg and Malmo win to keep pressure on leaders

The second half of the Allsvenskan season started yesterday with two teams proving that the five-way battle for the title is alive, as third-placed Elfsborg terminated a run of three matches without a win, while Malmo in fifth picked up their first victory in three.

Following one point and no goals scored in their previous three outings, few anticipated an upturn in create from Elfsborg as they visited Goteborg.

That showed up to be the case in the first quarter of the match as they were compelled to soak up a lot of pressure from the home side, before Goteborg took a acquired lead in the 26th minute.

 A David Kruse header from a corner was cleared off the line and the rebound dropped to Sebastian Clemmensen, who volleyed neatly into the bottom corner.

But two goals from an unlikely source turned the match on its lead before half-time - 40 minutes in, a curling free-kick into the box was led home by defender Rasmus Wikstrom.

Then, in the 45th minute, Elfsborg launched a long throw into the box, which Wikstrom flicked on into the far corner of the net to double his goal tally for the season in the space of five minutes.

IFK possessed a goal correctly ruled out for offside and struck the obstruct, but their efforts to locate an equaliser came up short and they dropped to a second beat in three.

The 2-1 win moves Di Gule move into third, five points shy of leaders Mjallby.

Sitting in fifth, seven points behind the leaders having played a game more would not make most teams title contenders, but champions Malmo cannot be discounted, especially after a 3-1 win over Norrkoping terminated a run of consecutive Allsvenskan draws.

MFF, who made a good start to their UEFA Champions League qualification hopes in midweek, took the lead just after half an hour when Hugo Bolin moved on a driving run before teeing up Isaac Kiese, who squared to Sead Haksabanovic and he submitted the simple complete.

Early in the second half, it was Bolin finishing the move as Malmo moved 2-0 up, holding his nerve inside the penalty area to pick his spot in the bottom corner after a precise Johan Karlsson pass.

The home side possessed enough chances to make the score embarrassing for Norrkoping, but they didn't add a third until the final 10 minutes, when Emmanuel Ekong chased Busanello's ball over the top and completed cleanly.

A Christoffer Nyman header three minutes from time spoiled the Malmo clean sheet and was scant consolation for Norrkoping, who are without a win in five matches.

Malmo, meanwhile, are five without beat in all competitions.

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