The biggest match of Premium Liiga Round 15 saw league leaders FCI Levadia Tallinn strengthen their grip on the title race, coming from behind to defeat defending champions Flora 3-1 in the Tallinn Derby and extend their lead at the top of the table into double digits.
Despite entering the match as league leaders, Levadia struggled to find their rhythm early on as Flora made a confident start in front of their home supporters. The defending champions controlled possession and looked the more dangerous side from the opening whistle.
Their bright start was rewarded after just seven minutes. Kaur Kivila’s long pass released Sander Alamaa down the left flank and the winger delivered a dangerous ball across goal. Waiting in the middle was Rauno Sappinen, who made no mistake with a first-time finish to put Flora ahead 1-0.
Levadia looked unusually unsettled during the opening stages and created little in attack. However, the momentum of the match changed midway through the first half when Wendell went down inside the penalty area. Initially referee waved play on, but after a VAR review he pointed to the spot.
Young midfielder Maksimilian Skvortsov stepped up and confidently fired the penalty into the bottom corner in the 23rd minute to bring Levadia level at 1-1. The goal helped Levadia settle into the match and they gradually began to take more control, although clear-cut chances remained limited before the break. Flora still threatened through Sappinen and Tony Varjund, while Levadia relied heavily on set pieces and deliveries into the penalty area.
The first half ended level, but Levadia emerged from the dressing room looking far sharper than they had in the opening 45 minutes.
Their improvement was rewarded in the 54th minute. João Pedro delivered a dangerous free kick into the box where Wendell had been left completely unmarked. The Brazilian rose highest and powered a header into the net to turn the match around and give Levadia a 2-1 advantage.
Flora attempted to respond and pushed more players forward in search of an equaliser. Vladislav Kreida continued to test Levadia’s defence with deliveries from set pieces, while substitute Rauno Alliku and Sappinen both looked for openings in the final third.
The best chance for Flora to draw level arrived when a loose ball found its way to Taaniel Usta in front of goal, but the forward failed to make clean contact and the opportunity slipped away. As the second half progressed, Levadia looked increasingly comfortable. Zahovaiko’s side defended confidently and remained dangerous on the counterattack, with Mihkel Ainsalu and João Pedro controlling the midfield battle.
Deep into stoppage time Levadia finally put the result beyond doubt. Following a scramble in midfield, Ainsalu won possession, spotted Kivila off his line and calmly slotted the ball past the Flora goalkeeper to seal a 3-1 victory.
The result ends Flora’s six-match winning streak and represents another statement victory from Levadia, who have now opened a double-digit advantage at the top of the Premium Liiga standings.
With the season approaching its halfway point, Levadia’s rivals are already facing an increasingly difficult task to stop them from reclaiming the Premium Liiga title.
FC Flora vs FCI Levadia – 1-3 (1-1)
Goals: Sappinen 6′ | Skvortsov 22′ (Penalty kick), Wendell 55′ Ainsalu 90+5′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FCI Levadia |
15 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 42 | 11 | 31 | 39 |
| 2 |  Nõmme Kalju |
14 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 26 | 10 | 16 | 28 |
| 3 |  FC Flora |
14 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 27 |
| 4 |  Paide |
14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 22 | 19 | 3 | 21 |
| 5 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
15 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 19 | 29 | -10 | 20 |
| 6 |  Harju |
15 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 20 | 26 | -6 | 19 |
| 7 |  Tammeka |
14 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 15 | 19 | -4 | 17 |
| 8 |  Nõmme United |
15 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 29 | 37 | -8 | 16 |
| 9 |  Kuressaare |
15 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 17 | 26 | -9 | 16 |
| 10 |  Narva Trans |
15 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 11 | 39 | -28 | 9 |
