Birmančević the man for Malmo

Malmo remain top of the Allsvenskan after they scored twice in four second-half minutes to beat Mjällby 2-0.

Matchen är slut. Vi tar med oss tre sköna poäng hem från Strandvallen!#MAIFMFF | 0–2 | pic.twitter.com/wROT1LUlcd

— Malmö FF (@Malmo_FF) July 24, 2021

The match

The league-leaders had to work hard to get the better of struggling Mjällby but failed to threaten in the first-half.

Things improved for the visitors in the second-half with Veljko Birmančević testing the goalkeeper with a fierce strike.

In the 53rd minute, his bending shot looked goal-bound but bounced off the post and rebounded in the path of Adi Nalić, who could not sort his feet out.

But five minutes later, Malmo’s pressure took its toll. An outswinging corner was headed onto the bar by Birmančević with ferocious power. The ball fizzed back into the box and struck Jacob Bergström on its way into the goal.

The win for Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side was sealed with a second goal just after the hour-mark. A long pass over the top was misjudged by goalkeeper Samuel Brolin, who came flying out of his goal.

Birmančević beat the goalkeeper to the ball with his head and then passed the ball into an empty net. It was his sixth league goal of the season.

Veljko Birmancevics 2–0-mål! ✌️pic.twitter.com/HBIbbn30Qv

— Malmö FF (@Malmo_FF) July 24, 2021

What does it mean?

The win was Malmo’s third in a row and ninth of the season. They are a point clear of Djurgårdens, who have a game in hand.

Mjällby lost their fourth game in a row and are a point above the relegation zone but they have played a game more than all the teams below them.

Djurgårdens on the charge

Djurgårdens edged past Kalmar FF with a goal from Aslak Fonn Witry in the 51st minute.

Isak Jansson nearly gave the hosts a shock lead in the 17th minute when he went through on goal but goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström closed down the angle and made a top save to deflect his shot onto the post.

Djurgårdens also went close just a couple of minutes later but they bided their time and got the crucial goal from a set-piece.

A free-kick was swung to the back-post and it looked to be harmless until goalkeeper Lucas Hägg-Johansson came flying out of his goal.

He misjudged the ball and defender Fonn Witry volleyed into an empty net from close range,

The visitors had further chances to open up a two-goal lead but they held out for a 1-0 win that keeps them within two points of Malmo with a game in hand. Kalmar are 10th after losing their last three games.