Allsvenskan review: Mjallby set points record with comeback win over Norrkoping

Jacob Bergstrom of Mjallby holds off a defender
Jacob Bergstrom of Mjallby holds off a defenderBildbyran / ddp USA / Profimedia

One of the greatest domestic football seasons hit new heights this afternoon when newly-crowned Allsvenskan champions Mjallby came from behind to beat Norrkoping 2-1 and with it set a new points record in the top flight of Swedish football.

Having sealed their first major trophy by beating IFK Goteborg 2-1 on Monday, Mjallby recieved a heroes' welcome on their return to Strandvallen, and lived up to the occasion by reaching 69 points, two more than the previous best, set by Malmo in 2010.

For a while, however, it seemed the champions were suffering something of a hangover when Christoffer Nyman put Norrkoping in front with just under half an hour played. His initial effort was kept out by Noel Tornqvist, but a kind ricochet allowed him to tuck away the rebound.

But 10 minutes after half-time, it was MAIF's turn for a fortunate bounce, when amid a goalmouth scramble, the ball fell to Tom Pettersson, who volleyed in the equaliser from close range.

Then with a quarter of the match to go, the home side completed the turnaround and took the points record with it, when Herman Johansson dug out a cross to the back post where Jacob Bergstrom used his strength to bundle the ball over the line.

Incredibly, it's the third match in a row that Mjallby have won thanks to a goal apiece from Pettersson and Bergstrom. The 2-1 victory is the fourth win in a row for the champions, who now have two opportunities to break the 70-point barrier.

In contrast, it's a fourth defeat in succession for Norrkoping, who sit just three points clear of the bottom three.

Following back-to-back losses to the top two, Goteborg have returned to form with a 3-0 win at Halmstad that moves them to within a point of the European places.

Goals either side of half-time - one from Tobias Heintz and one he set up for Kolbeinn Thordarsson - gave the visitors a solid lead, which they extended late on through substitute Benjamin Brantlind.

A second loss in three matches leaves Halmstad not quite safe yet - they are five points clear of the bottom three with two games remaining.

AIK sit two points behind Goteborg and thus still in the European hunt, but their winless run extended to five matches as they played out a 2-2 draw with Hacken in Solna.

Filip Helander gave the visitors an early lead, only for an Erik Flataker strike and an own goal from Adam Lundqvist to turn the match around by the 23rd minute.

It looked to be AIK's day when Simon Gustafson missed a penalty in the 69th minute, only for Adrian Svanback to draw Hacken level soon after. 

Hacken sit ninth, two places but 11 points behind today's hosts, yet their Svenska Cupen success this season means their European place is assured.

Officially out of the race for continental football are Elfsborg, who were thumped 4-0 away at Sirius to leave them eight points outside the top three, while the hosts guaranteed their survival for another season.

Isak Bjerkebo got the ball rolling in the 27th minute before Henrik Castegren's goal on the stroke of half-time put the Uppsala side in control. In the final 15 minutes, Sirius pressed home their advantage with two goalf from Leo Walta.

Sirius are now seven points clear of the drop zone with six more on offer, and are now as many points behind Elfsborg, who need just one to secure the consolation prize of a top-half finish.

Follow the race for Europe in the Allsvenskan on Flashscore.