FCK draw with Esbjerg
By Joe Short
César Santin scored a late equaliser as FC Copenhagen stretched their unbeaten run in the Superliga to five games.
The substitute rose to head home Daniel Braaten's centre after the Norwegian midfielder worked his way into a crossing position on the right edge of the box.
It was the least FCK's attack deserved as both Igor Vetokele and Fanendo Adi missed chances either side of half time, while Christian Bolaños came close with a deep curling free kick.
Boss Ståle Solbakken handed Thomas Kristensen a starting role alongside Claudemir in central midfield, while the rest of the XI remained unchanged from FCK's last outing.
Copenhagen controlled the opening throes without much threat on goal until an early shot from Vetokele put Esbjerg goalkeeper Frederik Ronnøw on his toes. As the home side looked to open the scoring, Esbjerg silenced the PARKEN crowd with a goal of their own. Pape Pate Diouf took a quick free kick to catch the high FCK defence unawares, passing to Jakob Ankersen who neatly tucked his effort right of Johan Wiland for 1-0.
Watch highlights of the match on FCKTV here
Ankersen came close to doubling his tally on 26 minutes but shot wide right of Wiland's frame. Seven minutes later and it was Adi's turn to fire over, heading a diving effort off target after a lung-busting run from Pierre Bengtsson on the left wing.
On 38 minutes Casper Nielsen blazed over a volley following a mix-up between Wiland and Ragnar Sigurdsson and Diouf also found the Lions fans behind the FCK goal moments later.
Into the second half and Vetokele had a golden chance to equalise when he broke free of the Esbjerg defence but his effort from the right side of the box drifted wide. Olof Mellberg saw a free header bounce wide from a corner, as did Vetokele from Lars Jacobsen's centre as FCK swarmed forward.
On 77 minutes Ragnar Sigurdsson was sent off for a late kick at Jesper Rasmussen but the dismissal didn't change Solbakken's tactics as his men looked for an equaliser.
It finally came just five minutes from time when substitute Daniel Braaten twisted and turned down the right flank before chipping over to César Santin, who headed straight past Ronnøw to send PARKEN wild.
Copenhagen's attention now turns towards the UEFA Champions League. The club welcome Juventus to PARKEN on Tuesday evening for the first match of the group stage.
Watch highlights of the match on FCKTV here
FC COPENHAGEN: 1 ESBJERG: 1
FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Jacobsen (C), Mellberg, Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Bolaños, Kristensen, Claudemir, Jørgensen, Adi, Vetokele.
Esbjerg: Ronnøw, Ankersen, Hansen, Askou, Knudsen, Ankersen, Andreasen, Lekven, Nielsen, Diouf, Buren.
Goals: Ankersen, Esbjerg (19'), Santin (85')
Referee: Jens Maae
