A top two clash that didn't disappoint (for one side), worth all the hype perhaps... Meanwhile the rest of the table is beginning to bunch up. Here is the latest from Finland's top division.
Lahti scorer Tuco (photo via Mirja Hussain)
HJK 4-0 MYPA
Billed as Sexy Football v Sexy Football, or Bana v Ana (HJK coach Lekhosuo v former manager Muurinen, now in charge of MYPA)... The visitors were the early season leaders, and top scorers, but were but in their place by the defending champions, who returned to the top of the table with a thumping. Macoumba Kandji's second goal for the club on 31 minutes started it, sweeping in from inside the six yard box, before Veli Lampi scored the second, pouncing on an indecisive defence on 42 minutes. Nikolai Alho's first time finish just after half time made it 3-0, before Rasmus Schüller coolly made it four with ten minutes left. HJK go top with nineteen points, MYPA are second on seventeen.
Highlights of HJK 4-0 MYPA
Inter 0-0 VPS
Hardly high octane stuff, but then an entirely predictable scoreline. Bless Tuomas for compiling some action, but with no goals or even a booking, I hope the paying customers at least got to the nearby theme park afterwards. Inter are eighth on ten points, VPS in sixth with twelve.
KuPS 2-0 Honka
The Rajamäki revolution continues, as KuPS climb out of the bottom two and are unbeaten in four games under their new coach. After a goalless first half, Catovic finished across the keeper into the bottom corner to open the scoring on 54 minutes, before Finnish U21 international Aleksi Paananen made it two in injury time, running through the Honka defence to slot home. KuPS are tenth with eight points, Honka fifth with twelve (this was their first defeat in five games). This was KuPS's first victory at home to Honka in ten years, including eight consecutive defeats.
Jaro 2-0 TPS
Jaro's impressive start to 2014 continued against bottom club TPS. Trinidadian Shahdon Winchester headed his team in front before the break, after some crafty shoulder charging by Svanbäck. Argentinian defender Carlos Fondacaro made it two on 63 minutes with a neat turn and shot on the edge of the area. TPS defender Alex de John was sent off seven minutes later for pulling back Winchester outside the area with just the keeper to beat. Jaro are third on sixteen points, TPS remain bottom with six points.
SJK 3-0 IFK Mariehamn
Just a second league win for SJK, but it was convincing. Justin Moose scored the first goal from close range after 17 minutes, after Simon Nurme failed to hold a shot. Mariehamn had chances, before an effort from distance by Laaksonen in first half injury time found the bottom corner to make it 2-0. Mariehamn went down to ten men after a horrible two footed tackle from David Ramadingaye just after the break, before Toni Lehtinen scored the sort of goal you see on FIFA regularly, slotting into an empty net on 63 mins. SJK are now ninth with nine points from seven games. Mariehamn are seventh with ten points.
Lahti 1-0 RoPS
RoPS coach Juha Malinen took over at Lahti last season and led them from bottom to fifth. This year he returned with cup holders RoPS, but despite early chances, they conceded the only goal to "Tuco" Ngueukam after 71 minutes. Lahti move up to fourth with twelve points, while RoPS drop to eleventh with seven points, and just four goals in nine games.
Highlights of Saturday's games
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