FCK beat Brøndby at home in the derby
FC Copenhagen edged a tense derby against Brøndby at Telia Parken thanks to goals from Daniel Amartey, Nicolai Jørgensen and Thomas Delaney.
The Lions led through Amartey only for BIF’s Ariel Nunez to strike back early in the second half.
But Jørgensen’s sixth league goal of the season and an injury-time chip from Delaney earned FCK victory.
The win solidifies Copenhagen’s second place in the Alka Superliga as they remain nine points adrift of FC Midtjylland.
Watch highlights of the derby here at FCKTV
Buoyed by their DBU Cup penalty shootout victory over Randers in midweek, FCK headed into the derby knowing they were undefeated against Brøndby in three games.
And the Lions proved their intent to stretch that unbeaten streak when Ludwig Augustinsson clattered a free-kick onto the crossbar just two minutes in.
Jørgensen was soon denied a goal by Lukas Hradecky when the striker snuck between BIF’s centre-haves to get a near-post shot away, before Hradecky caught a glancing Delaney header.
And Delaney would prove a lucky boy on 37 minutes when he misplaced a backpass right into Nunez’s direction, but the frontman sent a ranged chip over Stephan Andersen narrowly wide of goal.
The chance was a warning to FCK but Amartey settled any lingering nerves with a stunning strike three minutes before the break. The midfielder set himself as Danny Amankwaa brought the ball down, leaving Amartey to lash it high into the roof of the net, Hradecky well beaten.
The second half saw Brøndby start brightly and they earned an equaliser in scrappy fashion when Nunez squeezed home after Andersen had blocked off Teemu Pukki.
It was a wake-up call for the Lions, who had created the majority of chances before the leveller, and they responded to the challenge when Jørgensen struck back five minutes later - his diving back-post header from Augustinsson’s corner triggering huge celebrations in Telia Parken.
Brøndby threatened another leveller through Martin Ørnskov but his volley was matched by Andersen, and the game’s tempo died somewhat until the final minute, when Delaney secured the three points for FCK.
Amankwaa was again the provider - this time picking up the ball on the left, cutting inside and spreading to Delaney who, with the utmost grace, chipped Hradecky from 18 yards.
Watch highlights of the derby here at FCKTV
FCK must now turn their attention to a trip in Esbjerg next Sunday before they host Randers and then face Brøndby again in a reverse on this weekend’s tie.
FC COPENHAGEN: 3 BRØNDBY: 1
FC Copenhagen: Andersen, Høgli, Zanka, Antonsson, Augustinsson, Gislason, Amartey, Delaney, Amankwaa, Jørgensen, Cornelius.
Brøndby: Hradecky, Larsson, Albrechtsen, Agger, Da Silva, Holst, Ørnskov, Phiri, Hasani, Nunez, Pukki.
Goals: Amartey (43’), Nunez, BIF (47’), Jørgensen (52’), Delaney (90’).
Referee: Jakob Kehlet.
