Marijampolė’s Sūduva climbed to the top of the Toplyga table after scoring twice in the second half to defeat 10-man Džiugas Telšiai 2-0, extending their unbeaten run to 12 league matches.
The turning point came in the 21st minute when Džiugas were reduced to ten men. Denys Bunchukov flew into a reckless, high challenge on Amadou Sabo and was shown a straight red card. Fortunately for Sūduva, the Niger international was able to continue after treatment.
The visitors immediately began to dominate possession and create chances. Henry Uzochukwu was first to threaten, finding space inside the box before forcing an excellent save from Marius Paukštė.
The Džiugas goalkeeper then produced the save of the match just before half-time. Sidy Sanokho found himself with two golden opportunities inside the penalty area within seconds, but Paukštė somehow denied the Sūduva forward on both occasions to keep the score level.
At the other end, Ignas Plūkas also had to be alert deep into first-half stoppage time, making a fine save to deny Denis Ževžikovas as the teams went into the break goalless.
Sūduva’s pressure finally paid off in the 60th minute. Uzochukwu’s shot was only parried by Paukštė into the path of Rati Grigalava, who reacted quickest to score his first goal in Lithuanian football and put the visitors in front.
The league leaders continued to push forward and doubled their advantage in the 81st minute. Ernestas Stočkūnas delivered a pinpoint cross and substitute Lucky Tom, who had only been on the pitch for nine minutes, rose highest to head home and seal the victory.
Despite spending most of the match defending, Džiugas almost pulled one back late on. In the 89th minute, their top scorer Ronald Sobowale powered a header towards the corner, but Plūkas produced an outstanding save to preserve his clean sheet.
The victory completed Sūduva’s third win over Džiugas in three meetings this season and lifted them to the top of the Toplyga standings, one point ahead of reigning champions Kauno Žalgiris. Džiugas remain third, two points further back.
Džiugas Telšiai vs FK Sūduva – 0-2 (0-0)
Goals: Grigalava 60′, Tom 81′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FK Sūduva |
22 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 31 | 17 | 14 | 39 |
| 2 |  Kauno Žalgiris |
22 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 41 | 16 | 25 | 38 |
| 3 |  Džiugas Telšiai |
24 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 34 | 29 | 5 | 37 |
| 4 |  FK Banga |
23 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 28 | 21 | 7 | 36 |
| 5 |  Transinvest |
24 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 33 | 32 | 1 | 36 |
| 6 |  FK Žalgiris |
22 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 35 | 27 | 8 | 34 |
| 7 |  FK Panevėžys |
23 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 21 | 39 | -18 | 23 |
| 8 |  FC Hegelmann |
24 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 26 | 41 | -15 | 22 |
| 9 |  FA Šiauliai |
24 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 23 | 50 | -27 | 16 |
