Nõmme Kalju ended their five-match winless run in the Premium Liiga by defeating local rivals Nõmme United 3-1 away in the opening match of the 18th round, giving Nikita Andrejev’s side the perfect boost ahead of next week’s UEFA Conference League qualifying campaign.
Kalju welcomed back Oleksandr Musolitin after more than a month on the sidelines, while United made just one change to their starting line-up, with 17-year-old Truuväärt replacing the suspended Järvelaid.
Played on a rain-soaked Männiku Stadium pitch, the Nõmme derby started with an early scare for Kalju. Miscommunication in Kalju’s defence almost gifted Nõmme United the opening goal in just the second minute, but Chisala’s effort struck the post before the danger was eventually cleared.
Kalju soon took control of possession, with Orlov also hitting the woodwork before the breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute. Tambedou found Musolitin on the left, and the Ukrainian delivered a cross that Tiago Baptista converted at the far post for his second consecutive league goal.
United responded almost immediately as Morishige’s cross was met by Ricky Chanda, whose header levelled the score at 1-1.
Kalju restored their lead just four minutes later. Baptista created the move down the right before Orlov laid the ball into the path of Musolitin, who fired a low shot into the bottom corner against his former club. The midfielder chose not to celebrate, having already registered both a goal and an assist inside the opening 26 minutes.
The visitors extended their advantage before half-time through a swift counterattack. After winning possession following a United corner, Eyang Esono carried the ball forward before setting up Mihhail Orlov, who finished into an empty net to make it 3-1.
United believed they had pulled a goal back early in the second half when Palts finished a well-worked move, but the effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR review. Television replays suggested the decision was extremely close, although the available camera angles were inconclusive.
Kalju continued to look the more dangerous side, with Baptista hitting the woodwork again after Lagus tipped his shot onto the post. United still created chances of their own, with Chisala shooting narrowly wide before substitute Mätas missed a close-range opportunity and later struck the crossbar from distance.
Despite some late pressure from the home side, Kalju comfortably saw out the closing stages to claim their first league victory in six matches.
Having gone five consecutive league matches without a victory, Kalju produced an efficient first-half performance, scoring three times before the break to secure all three points and a good boost before the European games against Linfield. The result leaves Kalju third in the standings with 34 points from 19 matches, two behind second-placed Flora, while United remain seventh with 19 points.
Nõmme United vs Nõmme Kalju – 1-3 (1-3)
Goals: Chanda 21′ | Baptista 20′, Musolitin 26′, Orlov 45′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FCI Levadia |
18 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 46 | 15 | 31 | 43 |
| 2 |  FC Flora |
18 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 38 | 19 | 19 | 36 |
| 3 |  Nõmme Kalju |
19 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 16 | 17 | 34 |
| 4 |  Paide |
18 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 27 | 22 | 5 | 29 |
| 5 |  Tammeka |
16 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 18 | 20 | -2 | 23 |
| 6 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
17 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 21 | 31 | -10 | 23 |
| 7 |  Nõmme United |
18 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 34 | 43 | -9 | 19 |
| 8 |  Harju |
17 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 21 | 30 | -9 | 19 |
| 9 |  Kuressaare |
18 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 17 | 30 | -13 | 17 |
| 10 |  Narva Trans |
17 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 11 | 40 | -29 | 10 |
