Norway Eliteserien round-up: Five-star Molde stretch clear at the top; Mjøndalen move out of bottom three

Molde go clear at the top

Molde extended their lead at the top of the Eliteserien to five points after they thrashed Odd 5-0 at the Aker Stadium.

1️⃣5️⃣ mål på 1️⃣3️⃣ kamper! 🔥

Maskin! 👏🏼

Foto: NTB pic.twitter.com/1SA60JF4f4

— Molde Fotballklubb (@Molde_FK) July 12, 2021

The match

It was a perfect performance from the hosts, who broke the deadlock after just nine minutes. The ball was swiftly circulated by Wolff Eikrem to Kristoffer Haugen, who was found free in space on the left-wing.

His shot across goal took a nick off Espen Ruud and flew into the net.

Eikrem was the supplier once more as his corner was met by Sheriff Sinyan in the 20th minute.

The response from the visitors was strong and they created major opportunities to reduce the deficit. Sander Svendsen and Gilli Rolantsson were both denied by goalkeeper Andreas Linde in goal.

After not being involved in the first two goals, it was only a matter of time before Ohi Omoijuanfo got on the scoresheet. Odd midfielder Joshua Kitolano slipped on the ball and Etzaz Hussain found Omoijuanfo, who curled a shot into the net.

The fourth goal was the pick of the bunch. Hussain kept control of the ball in the box and then crossed for substitute Magnus Grødem, who flung his leg backwards to score a brilliant overhead kick.

Brasseforsøk == Brassescoring! 👏 For en måte å score sitt første mål for @Molde_FK på da, Magnus Grødem! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/3Trc85VAiO

— Eliteserien (@eliteserien) July 13, 2021

Omoijuanfo grabbed his 15th goal of the season in just 13 games when he headed in off the post just after the hour mark.

He almost scored a hat-trick in added time but his shot came off the post.

What does it mean?

Molde won their ninth game of the season and are now five points clear at the top of the table. Erling Moe’s side have also scored the most goals in the division, netting 33 goals in 13 matches.

Odd’s five-game unbeaten run ended with defeat, meaning they dropped to eighth in the table.

All change at the bottom

At the bottom of the table, there was a key win for Mjøndalen, who beat Haugesund 3-0 to move out of the bottom three.

It was just their second win of the season, with goals coming from Martin Rønning Ovenstad, Syver Skaar Eriksen and Markus Nakkim.

Brann remain at the foot of the table after they drew 1-1 with fellow strugglers Tromso. It was just their sixth point of the season from 13 games.

They went behind when Kent-Are Antonsen scored but an equaliser on the stroke of half time from Daouda Bamba secured a point. Tromso dropped into the bottom three on goal difference following Mjøndalen’s win.