Sweden round-up: Leaders stay level-headed

Örgryte IS and Malmö FF continued their battle for the Allsvenskan with hard-fought draws over the weekend.

Red card
Top-of-the-table Malmö went down to ten men after striker Peter Ijeh was sent off for a foul on Hammarby IF FF's Suleyman Sleyman and then had to come back from a goal down against the reigning champions. Joseph Elanga's superb run down the left flank and well-struck cross found Jörgen Ohlsson who headed the equaliser to give Malmö a point.

Dividends paid
Injury-ravaged Örgryte's match against AIK was a tough encounter. When Swedish international Andreas Andersson gave the Stockholm team a 1-0 lead just before half-time, Örgryte's first defeat in eight games appeared to be on the cards. However, the acquisition of Brazilians Afonso and Paulhinho has paid dividends for the team and a superb free-kick from the former following the sending off of Teddy Lucic gave Erik Hamréns's side a share of the spoils. They remain in second spot on goal difference.

Lack of discipline
Former giants IFK Göteborg were beaten by a strong Djurgårdens IF FF side, who are quietly moving up the table. After taking the lead, Göteborg lost their discipline and handed Djurgården a free-kick on the edge of the box. Stefan Rehn found Babis Stefanidis who fired in for the equaliser. Six minutes from time, Andreas Johansson scored his eighth goal of the season to hand Göteborg their sixth defeat in eight games.

Missed opportunity
Struggling Kalmar FF came back from 1-0 down against Helsingborgs IF to earn a point with a headed goal from their under-fire Brazilian striker Allyson. Indeed, had it not been for Kalmar's profligacy in front of goal, they might have triumphed after five successive defeats.

Much-needed boost
In a battle at the foot of the table, Halmstads BK hosted IFK Norrköping and went a goal up after a 12th-minute strike from Sharbel Touma. Norrköping came back with goals from new signing Anti Sumiala and Jonas Wallerstedt, before Andreas Johansson and Pascal Simpson struck to give Jonas Thern's side a much-needed boost.

New sensation
Landskrona BoIS once again showed their team spirit and creativity when they managed to come from 1-0 down to beat IF Elfsborg. Daniel Nannskog was the man of the match after laying on the first for Johan Andersson, who fired in his first league goal, and scoring the winner six minutes later to keep the Allsvenskan new boys flying high in third.

Home comforts
GIF Sundsvall and Örebro SK FK shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Örbero took the lead when Swedish Under-21 international Jon Lundblad scored in the sixth minute. Dennis Östlundh then struck twice before Kenyan Paul Oyuga scored to keep the hosts unbeaten at Eyravallen for eight matches.