Allsvenskan: Botheim Goal Gives Helstrup Winning Malmo Start

Helstrup era begins with win as Malmo move up to sixth

Gaute Helstrup got off to a winning start as Malmo manager with Erik Botheim's goal beating Degerfors 1-0. Vasteras also won 3-1 at 10-man Halmstad.

Malmo and Vasteras both win on return from Allsvenskan break. Gaute Helstrup starts Malmo tenure with win as Vasteras down 10-man Halmstad...

Gaute Helstrup got off to a winning start as Malmo boss with a second-half goal sealing victory at Degerfors, while Vasteras also took all three points away at Halmstad on the first weekend back after the Allsvenskan summer break.

Degerfors 0-1 Malmo: Botheim Goal Hands Helstrup Winning Start

Less than a week after taking over from Miguel Angel Ramirez, Helstrup watched his Malmo side claim all three points at Degerfors for a second straight win since the Spaniard left.

Clear chances were scarce in the first half, and Degerfors were undone by a straightforward goal early in the second. Kenan Busuladzic flicked a deep corner back across the face of goal at the back post, allowing Erik Botheim to bundle home from close range.

Degerfors failed to find an equalizer. A Samba Diatara corner in stoppage time nearly went straight in, with Robin Olsen only forced into action to tip it around the post.

Botheim spräcker nollan för Malmö mot Degerfors 💥

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The win moves Malmo up to sixth, while Degerfors remain just above the relegation zone after going seven games without a victory.

Vasteras Keep Pace With Win Over 10-Man Halmstad

Vasteras sit just one point behind Malmo in third, and they stayed in touch with the record champions after beating Halmstad, one of the three teams Degerfors remain above in the table.

Halmstad made the perfect start and were ahead inside a minute. Joel Allansson took a quick corner to the edge of the box, where Hussein Carneil met it with a clean volley that flew into the back of the net.

Halmstad’s lead lasted just three minutes. Vasteras earned a corner that Ismet Lushaku delivered to the near post, where Mikkel Ladefoged was on hand to head it in.

Vasteras took the lead midway through the first half as Ladefoged switched to provider, sliding the ball through to Taonsa Axel. He cut inside the HBK defense and finished into the bottom corner.

Halmstad’s hopes of a comeback took another hit when Andreas Boman fouled Taonsa just outside the box. The referee ruled it denied a clear goalscoring chance and showed a red card.

Vasteras used their extra man to good effect just after the hour. Taonsa finished a Ladefoged cutback with a powerful strike that beat Tim Ronning. Ronning then fouled Mamadou Diagne in the box, but he denied Ladefoged from the spot with a save made with his feet.

Vasteras have now won two of their last three either side of the summer break, while Halmstad remain above the bottom on goal difference following back-to-back defeats.