Cornelius earns Lions 2-1 win

15/09 2012 21:27

Andreas Cornelius’ fourth headed goal of the season handed FC Copenhagen a crucial 2-1 victory over FC Nordsjælland as Superliga football returned to PARKEN following the international break.

by Joe Short

FC Copenhagen welcomed last season’s Superliga champions to PARKEN and looked primed to go forward from the off. The first real opening of the game came when Claudemir whipped in a low ball to César Santin whose neat flick found the side netting. Jesper Hansen was tested moments later however when Thomas Delaney sent a fierce effort at goal just 14 yards out.

Only a last-ditch Lars Jacobsen block prevented Nordsjælland from opening the scoring on 15 minutes when the away side hit FCK on the break, Kasper Lorentzen puling the trigger in front of the Copenhagen captain.

Thomas Kristensen was looking solid in midfield; consistently breaking down FCN attacks before spreading play wide. On 23 minutes Andreas Cornelius met a long Claudemir throw to head towards goal but Hansen was more than a match for the effort. For all Nordsjælland’s possession they rarely threatened Kim Christensen’s goal.

Nordsjælland take the lead

With FCK unable to penetrate Nordsjælland’s defence, Thomas Delaney went for a long-range effort that was destined for the top left corner before Hansen palmed away. The midfielder managed to eke out another chance three minutes before the break but he sliced his effort wide from eight yards out in front of goal.

Just as the fourth official put up his board for added time FCN struck the opening goal. Michael Parkhurst cut inside and shot from outside the box with his left foot; Christensen getting a good hand to the effort. The ball rebounded off Christensen onto the post, back onto the goalkeeper and across the line to give Nordsjælland a 1-0 lead.

The second half started slowly with Nordsjælland passing around at the back and FCK unable to move forward with any real purpose until 54 minutes, when Jacobsen sent a swinging cross into the box again for Cornelius, but the striker could not direct his header towards goal.

Vetokele strikes for the first time!

Hansen caught a flicked Nicolai Jørgensen header on the hour mark as FCK increased the pressure, while at the other end Lorentzen tested Christensen with a neat left-footed low shot that had to be tipped round the left-hand post. Seconds after the save Cornelius came inches away from equalising when the striker bombed down the left wing before clipping a shot across Hansen and onto the crossbar!

With twenty minutes to go coach Ariel Jacobs made a fresh substitution, bringing on new signing Igor Vetokele for Santin, and seconds later Stadsgaard headed back a deep corner for Vetokele to tap into the net just two yards out: his first goal for FCK.

Cornelius finally finds his mark

Copenhagen maintained their pressure and Jørgensen was only a deflection away from scoring on 77 minutes, yet PARKEN would not have to wait long for another goal as Cornelius finally hit the target with his head. Bengtsson surged down the left flank unmarked and found Cornelius battling with his man in the box. The striker won his right to the ball and headed home a low effort to make it 2-1 FCK.

As the end of the game drew in Jørgensen got another shot on goal before being subbed off for Martin Vingaard, while Vetokele looked sharp up front, holding the ball up well. For all FCN’s early possession they struggled to retain the ball in injury time and Copenhagen played the game out comfortably in the end to maintain top spot in the Superliga.

FC COPENHAGEN: 2 FC NORDSJÆLLAND: 1

FC Copenhagen: Christensen, Jacobsen, Sigurdsson, Stadsgaard, Bengtsson, Kristensen, Claudemir, Delaney, Jørgensen, Cornelius, Santin.

FC Nordsjælland: Hansen, Parkhurst, Okore, Runje, Mtiliga, Stokholm, Christensen, Adu, Lorentzen, Beckmann, John.

Goals: Parkhurst, FC Nordsjælland (45’), Vetokele (72’), Cornelius (79’).

Referee: Kenn Hansen.