Sparta succumb to N'Doye finish

Dame N'Doye made the first-half breakthrough as FC København earned their first three UEFA Europa League Group K points in a game that the first goal always looked likely to win.

Bouncing ball
The rangy striker profited as a Sparta clearance was headed back in from midfield, chasing the bouncing ball into the box before clipping it neatly past Jaromir Blažek on 25 minutes. The visitors had the best chance prior to that, with Johan Wiland making a sharp diving save to fend away Jan Holenda's eleventh-minute effort, but Sparta were rarely granted space thereafter.

Gentle touch
Set-pieces looked to be both sides' best chances of scoring for much of the game, with headers from corners going astray at either end. N'Doye possibly had the best chance of all eleven minutes before the break, but the Senegalese forward headed firmly into the stands from inside the six-yard box when a gentler touch would surely have paid dividends.

Near miss
Ståle Solbakken's side lost 2-0 at CFR 1907 Cluj on Matchday 1, but looked to have the game sewn up for much of the second half; substitute Ailton Almeida was to pass up three decent chances to kill the game off in the closing stages. Sparta nearly made them pay in added time, but Wiland got back onto his line to catch Bony Wilfried's header after Luboš Kalouda looped a hopeful ball back into a nervy penalty area.