Lions start spring season with victory

Federico Santander and Nicolai Jørgensen secured three points for Alka Superliga leaders FC Copenhagen as they got the spring half of the season off to a winning start.

Santander opened the scoring on 26 minutes when he dived to meet a clipped Kasper Kusk centre and head past goalkeeper Jeppe Højbjerg.

Esbjerg hit back when Bjørn Paulsen’s follow-up shot rebounded off Thomas Delaney and into the net - Robin Olsen totally beaten.

But Jørgensen headed in early after the break to restore the lead, having read Peter Ankersen’s looping ball in from the right to bundle home at the far post.

Jørgensen himself had twice earlier missed the target, while Kusk saw a late shot blocked as FCK were made to settle for a 2-1 result.

Next up for the Lions is an away trip to FC Midtjylland on Thursday 3 March.

FC COPENHAGEN: 2  ESBJERG: 1

FC Copenhagen: Olsen, Ankersen, Zanka, Johansson, Augustinsson, Kusk, Kvist, Delaney, Verbic, Santander, Jørgensen.

Esbjerg: Højbjerg, Hagelskjær, Brinch, Stenderup, Lauridsen, Andersen, Lakven, Jørgensen, Paulsen, Nielsen, Van Buren.

Goals: Santander (26’), Paulsen, EfB (41’), Jørgensen (54’).

Referee: Anders Poulsen.