Lions kick off Superliga season with away win
Goals from Marvin Pourie and Nicolai Jørgensen saw FC Copenhagen off to a winning start in the new Alka Superliga campaign.
Pourie opened the scoring when he side-footed home Jørgensen’s inside pass after a long Peter Andersen ball down the right flank.
The provider turned goalscorer just before half time when Jørgensen cut inside on the left and wrong-footed goalkeeper Martin Dubravka at his near post - the ball squirming home for 2-0.
New signing Benjamin Verbic could have scored but saw an early effort crashed onto the post, while Pourie fired a diving header over the crossbar.
Stephan Andersen saved a one-on-one chance from Mick van Buren while the stopper also denied substitute Lasse Rise from distance.
And while Mikkel Vestergaard bagged a goal back for the home side, the Lions ran out victors to kick start their domestic season.
Next up for FCK is a trip to Czech Republic for a Europa League third-round qualifying clash against Jablonec.
ESBJERG: 1 FC COPENHAGEN: 2
Esbjerg: Dubravka, Johnson, Almeback, Jakobsen, Knudsen, Fellah, Nielsen, Lekven, Lyng, Bille, Van Buren.
FC Copenhagen: Andersen, Ankersen, Nilsson, Zanka, Augustinsson, Kusk, Amartey, Delaney, Verbic, Pourie, Jørgensen.
Goals: Pourie (25’), Jørgensen (41’), Vestergaard, Esbjerg (84’).