BIF 1-3 FCK: Neestrup reacts to derby triumph

F.C. Copenhagen returned to the top of the Danish Superliga on Sunday after a thrilling 3-1 victory at Brøndby in the derby.

Nicolai Vallys opened the scoring for the hosts just after the half-hour mark but Kevin Diks headed home from a well-worked free kick to level the game before half time.

Mohamed Elyounoussi then scored a stunner on the counter attack for FCK to put the victors ahead. And Jacob Neestrup's men held on for the remainder of the game, with Diks converting a penalty in stoppage time after Kevin Tshiembe was sent off for a foul on Viktor Claesson.

"It's incredible of the players to go out here and win 3-1 considering the pressure we have been under, because we put ourselves in a situation where we had to chase top place," said head coach Jacob Neestrup afterwards.

"I've always believed in us and we never gave up, so obviously this win is a big relief and a win I'm proud of, but there's still three games left where anything can happen."

FCK sit top of the Superliga, ahead of FC Midtjylland courtesy of a superior goal difference. FCK host FCM in Parken on Thursday.

Reflecting on the win at Brøndby Stadium, Neestrup added: "Today, not everything was perfect because for most of the first half I think we lacked some courage when we had the ball and we made far too many technical mistakes. This meant that Brøndby were more calm to play their game and they had too much of the initiative, even though they didn't get that many chances. They were at their best in the period when they also went ahead.

"We improved a bit before the break and got the equaliser but it wasn't until the second half that we adjusted some things and stabilised our game.

"Throughout the match we had some great chances that we should have taken advantage of, because we would have closed the game out much earlier.

"But we won and now we have taken 13 points in the last five games and I can't complain about that. Of course we would have liked to have led the table with more points, but there are many good teams this season who make it a historically close race.

"Normally only two teams fight it out for the title but here there are four clubs fighting for the top two places for Europe, and a playoff in the other half of the table. Of course that puts extra pressure on everyone.

"But we will enjoy this victory and move on to preparing for Thursday, because that match against Midtjylland is at least as important."