Copenhagen beat FCM in PARKEN

18/11 2012 21:08

Ragnar Sigurdsson's early header and a wonder strike from Nicolai Jørgensen earned FC Copenhagen a narrow 2-1 victory over FC Midtjylland to maintain the Lions' six-point lead in to Superliga.

by Joe Short

FCK welcomed back Claudemir from his one-match suspension while Rurik Gislason was handed a start on the wing for the out-of-action Christian Bolaños. Lars Jacobsen, upon return from international duty with Denmark in the week, maintained his captains role at right-back.

Copenhagen held the majority of early possession and their dominance paid off just four minutes in: Pierre Bengtsson swung in a tantalising free-kick from the right for centre-back Ragnar Sigurdsson, who rose unmarked to flick the ball on into the net before the stretching Jakob Haugaard could reach it. 1-0 FCK!

The goal only solidified FCK's early dictation yet the home side couldn't muster another meaningful chance until 19 minutes, when Rurik Gislason should have done better with his finish after the midfielder bombarded through the FCM defence from Santin's throughball before striking narrowly wide of Haugaard's right post. Shortly after some dogged work from Cornelius offered Gislason another chance on the right edge of the box but the Icelander saw his drive well parried.

Jørgensen scores his ninth in nine league games

Nicolai Jørgensen would not be so unlucky on 24 minutes, however, as FCK went 2-0 up thanks to a fantastic strike from the winger. Cornelius cut inside on the edge of the box and played square to Santin who, back to goal, gave Jørgensen a simple lay-off from which to curl into the goal off the crossbar. It was Jørgensen's ninth Superliga goal in as many league games.

FCM were not be deflated, however, and Kim Christensen was forced into a spectacular save to prevent Petter Andersson from a sure goal, while Cornelius stung Haugaard's hands with a left-footed drive for 25 yards as the game reached the half-hour mark.

Jørgensen's perfect start to the evening would not end well as he unfortunately pulled up with eight minutes before the break, clutching his hamstring. The winger was immediately substituted out of precaution and Thomas Delaney took his place on the PARKEN pitch. Delaney got straight in the action and rose through a crowd of defenders to head Lars Jacobsen's cross just wide of goal.

Midtjylland work back into the game

Ariel chose not to make a change at half time and FCM immediately showed their attacking intent when striker Tim Janssen nipped his way past Kris Stadsgaard and shot hard into Christensen's chest, the goalkeeper protecting the ball from danger. Ten minutes into the half Santin should have made it three when Delaney won an initial flick-on from Claudemir's long throw, but the striker couldn't convert at the back post.

Santin would be made to lament his missed chance as FCM halved the deficit through a neat long-range drive from Mads Albæk. The midfielder received Andersson's pass and struck first time from 20 yards out, catching Christensen unawares as the ball rolled into the bottom-right corner for 2-1.

Bengtsson delivered FCK's first attempt of the half but his swinging free-kick from distance was never likely to trouble Haugaard, and with 19 minutes to go Danny Amankwaa replaced Santin up front. On 74 minutes FCM's Kristian Nielsen had a free-header at the near post from a corner but couldn't convert, while Amankwaa picked up his first yellow card of his career shortly after.

Amankwaa and Delaney both spurn chances

A scintillating move on the right wing almost saw Jacobsen score from close range after the right-back exchanged passes with Cornelius to reach the right-side byline, but his strike across Haugaard hit left post - the ball rebounding out to safety.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes FCK had to withstand a number of Midtjylland corners, yet Copenhagen were still a threat on the break and Amankwaa had a golden opportunity to wrap up the game but his low drive found Haugaard's outstretched boot rather than the net. Delaney had the same opportunity from the left-hand side but his cross-come-shot met neither an FCK shirt nor the goal.

Three minutes of stoppage time offered little of note other than a mild Delaney penalty claim, and so FCK secured another three points and maintain their six-point lead at the top of the Superliga.

FC COPENHAGEN: 2 FC MIDTJYLLAND: 1

FC Copenhagen: Christensen, Jacobsen (C), Stadsgaard, Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Gislason, Claudemir, Kristensen, Jørgensen, Santin, Cornelius.

FC Midtjylland: Haugaard, Nielsen, Ipsa, Sviatchenko, Julesgård, Andersson, Uzochukwu, Albæk, Larsen, Rasmussen, Hassan.

Goals: Sigurdsson (4'), Jørgensen (24'), Albæk, FC Midtjylland (62').

Referee: Michael Tykgaard.