Allsvenskan Weekly: AIK Soars to the Summit as Malmö Stumbles Once More

AIK has emerged as the new frontrunners in the Allsvenskan after their victory over Öster, where they secured all three points, though the match was also notable for an unexpected booking for their kit manager. Previous table-toppers Hammarby experienced a setback, suffering a loss that concluded their unbeaten start, while reigning champions Malmö found themselves held to a draw for the second consecutive week.

After a stalemate with Malmö in their last match, AIK looked destined for another scoreless draw against newly-promoted Öster. However, Bersant Celina had different plans.

With just 10 minutes remaining, a half-clearance landed at his feet near the edge of the penalty area, and he unleashed a stunning strike that found the top corner.

Aside from the impressive goal, the 1-0 victory will also be remembered for an unconventional yellow card issued to the visitors’ kit manager, Håkan Sjoberg, who was attempting to replace towels along the touchline that repeatedly disappeared during the first half.

This led to an exchange of words between Sjoberg and the Öster staff, with home manager Martin Foyston stating after the game, “I don’t believe we should allow them to hang their laundry in our home ground.”

Despite the bizarre occurrences, AIK has become the first team to reach double digits in points, while Öster has managed just one win against three losses from their opening four matches.

Hammarby has now relinquished the top spot, as their three-match winning streak to start the season was brought to an abrupt halt by Mjällby, who moved up to third with a 3-1 victory at home.

The visitors’ defence was breached for the first time this season when Mjällby opened the scoring just seven minutes in, with Abdullah Iqbal delivering a cross that Hermann Johansson converted at the back post.

Hammarby responded to this setback ten minutes later, drawing level as a chaotic sequence in the Mjällby box resulted in Montader Madjed striking the ball in from just beneath the crossbar.

However, Mjällby were not finished; after 33 minutes, Johansson turned provider, assisting Nicklas Rojkjaer, who directed the ball into the bottom corner.

The first-half lead swelled to two just before the break, with Jacob Bergström’s cutback allowing Ludwig Thorell to nudge it in at the near post.

With two draws followed by two wins, Mjällby is among the few teams still unbeaten this season, trailing Hammarby by a single point.

Malmö, along with AIK and Mjällby, is yet to face defeat in 2025, though their 1-1 draw at home against Sirius was less than satisfactory.

The Eleda Stadion saw an early shock as, just 10 minutes in, Saba Mamatsashvili’s corner was allowed to drift through everyone and nestled in at the far post.

Malmö dominated possession, shots, and efforts on target, but required a last-minute penalty for handball to rescue a point and deny Sirius a significant win.

Lasser Berg Johnsen remained calm under pressure, converting from 12 yards, but it was not enough to prevent Malmö from dropping to fourth place, as the Blåsvart secured their first point since matchday one.

A thrilling finish unfolded in the Gothenburg derby at Gamla Ullevi, where Hacken snatched local bragging rights with a 3-2 victory over Gothenburg in the final moments.

Midway through the first half, Srdjan Hrstic put Hacken ahead by converting a low cross, but IFK Gothenburg quickly turned the tables. Kolbeinn Thordarson equalised with a header from a corner, and Max Fenger netted a penalty just before the break to push the hosts ahead.

However, Hacken equalised in stoppage time during the first half, with Amor Layouni’s precise header making it 2-2.

The decisive blow came deep into added time in the second half when Gothenburg fell victim to a simple free-kick routine, allowing Simon Gustafson to score the winning goal.

This defeat ended a two-match winning streak for IFK, while Hacken climbed to join them on six points.

Indeed, five teams now share six points, including Norrköping, who, despite an equal number of losses and wins, lead the league in goals scored, netting three unanswered against Halmstad to reach a total of ten for the season.

Isak Sigurgeirsson and Christoffer Nyman found the back of the net within three minutes of each other, followed by Ismet Lushaku scoring in injury time. Halmstad now sits in the bottom two, having conceded nine goals, the joint-highest in the league alongside – coincidentally – Norrköping.

Brommapojkarna also joined the six-point contingent, securing a 3-2 win against Värnamo, who remain the only team without a point or a win this season.

Värnamo came close to breaking their duck, pulling back from 2-0 down after second-half goals from Frank Junior Adjei and Simon Thern levelled the match, but Brommapojkarna sealed the points in the 91st minute, with Kaare Barslund converting a cross.

A penalty from Simon Hedlund was necessary for Elfsborg to edge past Degerfors 1-0 away from home, marking their second consecutive victory after a challenging start to the season.

The round concluded on Monday night as Djurgården’s European adventures continued to impact their domestic form, resulting in a 0-0 draw at home to GAIS, leaving them on four points—one less than their visitors.