Nõmme Kalju continued their flawless start to the Premium Liiga season by beating fellow in-form side Harju JK Laagri 2-0 away from home, making it five wins from five matches and strengthening their position at the top of the table.
In a clash between two of the league’s hottest teams, Kalju looked the more composed side from the outset. Harju had started the season strongly themselves, but against the current league leaders they found it difficult to impose their usual tempo, with Kalju controlling large stretches of the first half and limiting the hosts to very few clear openings.
The visitors gradually built pressure and were first to threaten seriously. Oleksandr Musolitin tested the goalkeeper from distance, while also coming close from a few dangerous deliveries into the box. Their growing dominance was rewarded in the 38th minute, when Harju lost possession under Kalju’s high press. Rommi Siht did the hard work by stealing the ball and driving the move forward before laying it on for Kristjan Kask, who made no mistake from a promising position to put Kalju 1-0 ahead.
Kalju nearly doubled their lead before the break, but Harju did at least produce some late resistance, with Kristjan Kriis forcing two saves from Henri Perk in the closing moments of the half. Still, the visitors went into the interval with a deserved advantage after controlling most of the opening 45 minutes.
Harju came out with greater urgency after the restart and tried to push higher up the pitch, but Kalju remained disciplined and largely kept the home side’s lively attackers under control. The league leaders continued to look dangerous themselves, and in the 71st minute they struck again. Tarassenkov created the opening down the left and delivered a measured ball into the middle, where Mattias Männilaan calmly converted to make it 2-0.
The striker even had the ball in the net again moments later, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
From there, Kalju managed the game impressively. Harju continued to battle and came close to pulling one back late on, most notably when Eerme fired over from a good position and when a late corner caused confusion in the area, but the hosts could not find a breakthrough.
In the end, it was another controlled and convincing performance from Kalju, who remain perfect after five rounds and continue to set the pace in the title race.
Harju JK Laagri vs Nõmme Kalju – 0-2 (0-1)
Goals: Kask 36′, Männilaan 65′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Nõmme Kalju |
5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 15 |
| 2 |  FCI Levadia |
5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 11 |
| 3 |  Paide |
5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 10 |
| 4 |  Harju |
5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 9 |
| 5 |  Narva Trans |
5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| 6 |  FC Flora |
5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 6 |
| 7 |  Tammeka |
5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 10 | -2 | 6 |
| 8 |  Nõmme United |
5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 4 |
| 9 |  Kuressaare |
5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 11 | -7 | 3 |
| 10 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 15 | -9 | 3 |
