In the Premium Liiga Matchday 21 Nõmme Kalju produced a devastating first-half display on Sunday, scoring five times before the break in a commanding 5-1 home victory over Tartu JK Tammeka to move into second place in the league table.
Despite Tammeka enjoying more possession during the opening stages, it was Kalju who proved ruthless in front of goal. The breakthrough arrived in the 16th minute when Nikita Ivanov capitalised on a long ball over the top, shrugged off his defender and calmly finished to make it 1-0.
Just five minutes later, Kalju doubled their lead. Mihhail Orlov found Bogdan Vaštšuk, who finished confidently to put the hosts firmly in control.
The goals continued to flow. Rommi Siht added a third in the 27th minute after another dangerous attack, before Sõtšugov made it 4-0 only four minutes later following another assist from Mihhail Orlov. Shortly before half-time, Ivanov completed an outstanding individual performance by curling a superb strike into the top corner to send Kalju into the interval with an emphatic 5-0 advantage.
Kalju continued to create chances after the restart and struck the woodwork through Orlov, while Tammeka goalkeeper Kristen Lapa prevented the scoreline from becoming even heavier with several impressive saves.
The visitors managed a consolation goal in the 67th minute when a dangerous cross was inadvertently turned into his own net by Modou Tambedou, reducing the deficit to 5-1. However, it proved to be nothing more than a consolation as Kalju comfortably saw out the remainder of the match.
The victory lifts Nõmme Kalju into second place in the Premium Liiga standings, temporarily moving above Flora Tallinn. Kalju return to league action next weekend with an away match against Narva, while Tammeka will look to bounce back after conceding ten goals across their last two league matches with a Estonian Cup match against Rumori Calcio on 12th of August.
Nõmme Kalju vs Tartu JK Tammeka – 5-1 (5-0)
Goals: Ivanov 16′ 39′, Vastšuk 21′, Siht 27′, Sõtšugov 31′ | Tambedou 67′ (Own goal)
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FCI Levadia |
20 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 50 | 17 | 33 | 47 |
| 2 |  FC Flora |
20 | 13 | 0 | 7 | 40 | 21 | 19 | 39 |
| 3 |  Nõmme Kalju |
21 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 38 | 17 | 21 | 38 |
| 4 |  Paide |
21 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 33 | 28 | 5 | 35 |
| 5 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
21 | 8 | 3 | 10 | 29 | 39 | -10 | 27 |
| 6 |  Tammeka |
19 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 22 | 31 | -9 | 26 |
| 7 |  Harju |
21 | 8 | 1 | 12 | 30 | 35 | -5 | 25 |
| 8 |  Nõmme United |
21 | 8 | 1 | 12 | 40 | 48 | -8 | 25 |
| 9 |  Kuressaare |
21 | 5 | 3 | 13 | 19 | 34 | -15 | 18 |
| 10 |  Narva Trans |
21 | 5 | 1 | 15 | 17 | 48 | -31 | 16 |
