FCK - Vejle 3-0 (1-0)

Head coach Ståle Solbakken had decided to spare Brede Hangeland and Marcus Allbäck, and furthermore Michael Silberbauer was suspended. In came Dan Thomassen in central defence, and Martin Bergvold at left midfield, while Atiba Hutchinson paired with Fredrik Berglund in the attack.

 

Copenhagen opened the game relatively quiet, as if they needed som time to adjust to the pink shirts, they for just once were wearing to support the race against breast cancer. That gave Vejle - buttom-of-the-table, but confident after winning twice during the last week - the first chance of the game, but Jesper Christiansen produced a fine save when Issey Nakajima-Farran headed from close range following a cross from the right.

 

Copenhagens biggest chance came after 15 minutes, and typically for a confident topteam, Fredrik Berglund converted it to a 1-0-lead. Martin Bergvold put him completely through with a fine passs, and the Swedish striker coolly outplaced keeper Theis Rasmussen and scored via the post.

 

 

Dan Thomassen with a diving header

 

During the rest of the first half, Copenhagen didn’t take enough advantage from their dominance and hardly threatened the Vejle-keeper except from the odd deadball-situation. Vejle relied on a good organization and occasional counter-attacks, but the only time Jesper Christiansen had to come into action, Issey was already flagged offside.

 

Four minutes into the second half, Atiba Hutchinson could have doubled the lead, but he headed just over the crossbar from a Lars Jacobsen-corner. A few minutes later the second goal was a reality, when Martin Bergvold met a Hjalte Nørregaard-cross at the far post and first-timed the ball into the net. And in the 56. minute, Bergvold added a second, this time beautifully set up by William Kvist.

 

 

Martin Bergvold with the first of his two goals

 

That definitely settled the game, and Ståle Solbakken took the opportunity to give more of his regular players some rest before the next weeks matches against Manchester United and Brøndby. Razak Pimpong and youngsters Nikolaj Hansen and Jeppe Brandrup came into action without lowering the overall level, which reflected the difference between top and bottom in the Superleague.

 

However, Vejle probably should have had the chance to reduce from the penalty spot after an hour, when Issey seemed to be brought down by Jesper Christiansen in the area, but the referee awarded a freekick for Copenhagen and warned Issey for diving.

 

In the last half an hour the match dropped in tempo and intensity, even though Copenhagen had chances to more goals. But eventually it ended with a comfortable 3-0-win that secures yet another week at the top of the table. Copenhagen, who kept a clean sheet for the fifth consecutive game, is 3 points ahead of FC Midtjylland with a game in hand.

 

 

Man-of-the-Match Bergvold celebrating with the fans

 

 

Matchfacts:
F.C. Copenhagen-Vejle 3-0 (1-0)
15.: 1-0 Fredrik Berglund
51.: 2-0 Martin Bergvold
56.: 3-0 Martin Bergvold
Attendance: 24.306

 

F.C. Copenhagen: Jesper Christiansen – Lars Jacobsen (55.: Razak Pimpong), Michael Gravgaard (64.: Nikolaj Hansen), Dan Thomassen, Oscar Wendt – William Kvist, Tobias Linderoth, Hjalte Nørregaard, Martin Bergvold (73.: Jeppe Brandrup) - Atiba Hutchinson, Fredrik Berglund. (Unused substitutes: Benny Gall, Brede Hangeland, Marcus Allbäck, Martin Bernburg)

 

Booked: Tobias Linderoth