Pärnu Vaprus claimed a valuable 1-0 home victory over Nõmme United in Premium Liiga Matchday 26, with Tristan Pajo scoring the only goal early in the second half.
The two sides had already met twice in the league this season without Vaprus winning, while United had also beaten them 3-2 in the Estonian Cup earlier in the week. This time, however, Vaprus produced the more effective performance and finally got the better of their opponents.
The opening half was balanced, with United perhaps looking slightly more dangerous in the early stages. Zakaria Beglarishvili was heavily involved, trying his luck from distance on several occasions, while Chisala also threatened from a difficult angle. Vaprus gradually grew into the match, with Pajo, Viidas and Limberg increasingly involved in the final third.
One of the better first-half opportunities came in the 17th minute when Limberg made a strong run onto a Pajo pass, got past Morishige and found himself in a promising position, but Morishige center-back partner Geiger recovered well enough to block the danger. Viidas also tested United goalkeeper Pürg more than once, including with a sharp effort from a tight angle in the 33rd minute.
The teams went into half-time still level at 0-0, but Vaprus came out much stronger after the restart. Within the opening minute of the second half, Kapper struck from a difficult angle and forced Pürg into a save that sent the ball against the post. Moments later Välja also tested the United goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
The pressure finally paid off in the 51st minute. Kevin Aloe sent a long ball forward towards Limberg, who battled with Geiger inside the area. The ball dropped loose from the defender, and Tristan Pajo reacted quickest, taking a composed touch before finishing to give Vaprus a 1-0 lead.
United tried to respond and had spells of pressure from set pieces, with Beglarishvili and Frolov repeatedly putting balls into the penalty area. Vaprus, though, defended well and continued to threaten on the counterattack, with Viidas and Kapper both involved in several dangerous breaks.
The hosts had opportunities to make the result safer late on. Pajo sent a dangerous ball across the face of goal in the 84th minute with nobody able to provide the finishing touch, while Rasmus Orm and Joosep Põder both forced saves from Pürg in the closing stages.
United pushed hard for an equaliser in stoppage time and came particularly close when Beglarishvili found Frolov, whose outside-of-the-foot effort went narrowly wide.
That proved to be their final major chance, and Vaprus held on for a 1-0 victory. The win gives Vaprus some breathing room over United in the table, with the Pärnu side seventh on 31 points after 25 matches. Nõmme United remain ninth with 25 points from 26 games.
Pärnu JK Vaprus vs Nõmme United – 1-0 (0-0)
Goal: Pajo 51′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FCI Levadia |
24 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 64 | 20 | 44 | 59 |
| 2 |  FC Flora |
26 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 51 | 33 | 18 | 48 |
| 3 |  Nõmme Kalju |
26 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 46 | 24 | 22 | 44 |
| 4 |  Paide |
24 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 40 | 31 | 9 | 42 |
| 5 |  Tammeka |
24 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 31 | 35 | -4 | 38 |
| 6 |  Harju |
25 | 10 | 1 | 14 | 36 | 41 | -5 | 31 |
| 7 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
25 | 9 | 4 | 12 | 34 | 46 | -12 | 31 |
| 8 |  Kuressaare |
26 | 8 | 4 | 14 | 30 | 42 | -12 | 28 |
| 9 |  Nõmme United |
26 | 8 | 1 | 17 | 42 | 61 | -19 | 25 |
| 10 |  Narva Trans |
26 | 5 | 2 | 19 | 19 | 60 | -41 | 17 |
