FCI Levadia continued their march towards the Estonian Premium Liiga title with a commanding 4-0 victory over Narva Trans on Friday evening, comfortably overcoming the league’s bottom side at A. Le Coq Arena.
Narva head coach David Campana made several changes to his starting line-up, including handing a debut to 23-year-old Spanish goalkeeper Iker Venteo, who had joined the club only a few weeks ago. Levadia, meanwhile, were without regular centre-back Abraham Nwankwo, with Tanel Tammik coming into the starting eleven.
The league leaders wasted little time asserting their dominance. Mihkel Ainsalu struck the post early on, although the move was later ruled offside, before Gregor Lehtmets also had a goal disallowed for offside.
Levadia eventually found the breakthrough in the 17th minute after a well-worked team move which ended with a Mihkel Ainsalu low finish into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.
The hosts continued to control proceedings throughout the first half and could easily have doubled their advantage before the break. Wendell missed the best chance after Joao Pedro’s inviting cross, while Venteo produced several important saves to keep Trans within touching distance. Narva failed to register a single shot during the opening 45 minutes.
Levadia put the game beyond doubt shortly after the restart. In the 53rd minute, Mark Oliver Roosnupp released Joao Pedro behind the defence, and the Brazilian rounded Filatov before finishing confidently into the bottom corner to double the lead.
Five minutes later the visitors thought they had pulled one back through John Imeh, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside.
The home side then took complete control midway through the second half. Georgian striker Nikoloz Kutateladze making his second appearance for the club capitalised after Rasmus Peetson dispossessed Tomas Berardozzi deep inside the Trans half. Venteo saved the Georgian’s initial effort, but Kutateladze reacted quickest to score on the rebound and mark his Levadia debut with a goal.
Only two minutes later Kutateladze turned provider. After beating Kondrattsev down the flank, he squared the ball across the six-yard box for Joao Pedro, who tapped home his second goal of the evening to complete the 4-0 rout.
Narva did create a couple of late opportunities to grab a consolation goal. 18-year-old Arnas Besigirskis forced Karl Andre Vallner into an excellent save in a one-on-one situation before Ahmad Gero fired the rebound wide, but it proved too little, too late.
Levadia comfortably saw out the closing stages to record another convincing victory, taking another significant step towards the Premium Liiga title with now 12 point lead over second place Kalju. Narva Trans remain rooted to the bottom of the standings after another disappointing evening.
Levadia return to league action next weekend, but before that they have a last 16 Estonian Cup match against Paide Linnameeskond, while Narva will look to bounce back in their next fixture on Wednesday when they host Kalju in the Estonian Cup.
FCI Levadia vs JK Narva Trans – 4-0 (1-0)
Goals: Ainsalu 17′, Pedro 53′ 70′, Kuteladze 67′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FCI Levadia |
23 | 17 | 5 | 1 | 61 | 18 | 43 | 56 |
| 2 |  Nõmme Kalju |
23 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 43 | 18 | 25 | 44 |
| 3 |  FC Flora |
21 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 42 | 24 | 18 | 39 |
| 4 |  Paide |
22 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 34 | 29 | 5 | 36 |
| 5 |  Tammeka |
20 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 23 | 31 | -8 | 29 |
| 6 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
22 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 30 | 42 | -12 | 27 |
| 7 |  Harju |
23 | 8 | 1 | 14 | 33 | 40 | -7 | 25 |
| 8 |  Nõmme United |
23 | 8 | 1 | 14 | 40 | 54 | -14 | 25 |
| 9 |  Kuressaare |
23 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 25 | 38 | -13 | 24 |
| 10 |  Narva Trans |
24 | 5 | 2 | 17 | 18 | 55 | -37 | 17 |
