Nõmme Kalju scored once in each half to secure a controlled 2-0 away victory over FC Kuressaare in the final match of Premium Liiga round 12, while the hosts suffered their fifth consecutive league defeat. The victory also extended Kalju’s remarkable dominance over Kuressaare under head coach Nikita Andrejev, with the Tallinn club now winning all 13 meetings between the sides since Andrejev took charge.
Kalju arrived on Saaremaa as heavy favourites and quickly justified that status. The visitors almost took the lead already in the third minute when Roko Vukusic reacted quickest inside a crowded penalty area, but goalkeeper Karl-Romet Nõmm produced a strong save with his legs.
The breakthrough arrived moments later. After Kuressaare defenders gifted possession away near their own penalty area, Mihhail Orlov immediately released former Kuressaare striker Mattias Männilaan, who calmly lifted the ball over advancing goalkeeper Nõmm from around 17 metres out. Out of respect for his former club, Männilaan chose not to celebrate the opener.
Kuressaare nearly found an immediate response through one of their few dangerous moments of the first half. Kivi intercepted the ball and raced through one-on-one against Henri Perk, but the Kalju goalkeeper timed his run perfectly and blocked the attempt to preserve the lead.
Despite controlling possession, Kalju did not aggressively chase a second goal before halftime and instead focused on controlling the rhythm of the game. Chances remained limited for both sides throughout the opening period.
The visitors doubled their advantage early in the second half. After sustained pressure inside the Kuressaare half, the ball eventually broke kindly for Nikita Ivanov in the 49th minute. The midfielder drove into the box himself before finishing confidently into the net to make it 2-0.
From there Kalju comfortably controlled proceedings while Kuressaare struggled to create clear opportunities despite winning numerous set pieces and corner kicks during the second half.
The home side briefly thought Kalju might offer them a lifeline after referee Juri Frischer awarded the visitors a penalty midway through the half for a handball by defender Piil while Männilaan was through on goal. However, after a VAR review the penalty was overturned, with officials ruling that Männilaan had handled the ball earlier in the sequence.
Kuressaare pushed late on through long throws and set pieces, but Perk and the Kalju defence dealt comfortably with almost everything thrown at them. The closest the hosts came was through several Andreas corner kicks and a late long-range effort that drifted narrowly wide.
Kalju meanwhile could have added a third goal on the counterattack in the closing stages, but Esono Eyang was denied by Nõmm after breaking through on goal.
The victory moves Kalju back into second place in the Premium Liiga table, one point ahead of Flora Tallinn and five points behind leaders FCI Levadia. Kuressaare, meanwhile, remain second from bottom after a fifth straight defeat.
FC Kuressaare vs Nõmme Kalju – 0-2 (0-1)
Goals: Männilaan 10′, Ivanov 49′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FCI Levadia |
12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 32 | 9 | 23 | 30 |
| 2 |  Nõmme Kalju |
12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 24 | 7 | 17 | 25 |
| 3 |  FC Flora |
12 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 25 | 12 | 13 | 24 |
| 4 |  Paide |
12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 21 | 17 | 4 | 20 |
| 5 |  Tammeka |
12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 18 | -3 | 16 |
| 6 |  Harju |
12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 22 | -7 | 16 |
| 7 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 22 | -7 | 16 |
| 8 |  Nõmme United |
12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 26 | 30 | -4 | 13 |
| 9 |  Kuressaare |
12 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 11 | 22 | -11 | 9 |
| 10 |  Narva Trans |
12 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 9 | 34 | -25 | 6 |
