Vasas are unstoppable: the Angyalföld side move top of the Hungarian league

Vasas won 2-1 away at Kispest-Honvéd in the opening match of round four of the Hungarian top flight. Adi Alic put the hosts ahead, Milán Tóth equalised and, in a dramatic finish, Dániel Csóka secured the three points for Vasas, who moved to the top of the table.

Both promoted sides were unbeaten

The two teams promoted from the second division were both unbeaten going into round four, though their situations differed: Honvéd sat in the relegation zone while Vasas were on the podium. Kispest had drawn all three of their matches, against Kisvárda (1-1), MTK (3-3) and Paks (2-2). Vasas had drawn with defending champions Győr (2-2) and away at Ferencváros (0-0) before thrashing ZTE 5-0 the previous week. Honvéd were looking to end a six-match winless run in the top flight stretching back to last season, while Vasas were targeting first place. In the second division last season Honvéd won both meetings, and they had also won the last four top-flight matches between the sides.

Osman Hadzikic, signed from Croatia, made his first appearance in the home goal, while Sándor Hidi M. returned to the Vasas starting eleven after suspension.

Possession for the visitors, the lead for the hosts

Vasas dominated the opening period, with play largely in the Kispest half. The first big chance came in the 16th minute when Milán Tóth beat two defenders on the left and crossed: first Kovácsréti and then Koszta could have scored from close range, but the newcomer Hadzikic made two outstanding saves.

The contrast on the benches was striking. Home coach Maurizio Jacobacci constantly shouted instructions, whistled and took notes, while Gábor Erős watched with his arms folded, rarely speaking to his players.

The drinks break suited Honvéd. Goalkeeper Engedi saved Ádám Somogyi's effort, but shortly afterwards former Vasas man Szilveszter Hangya delivered an excellent cross from the left and Adi Alic headed home in the 27th minute (1-0) for his first goal at his new club.

Vasas continued to control the game after conceding, finishing the half with 71 percent possession, but it brought nothing. Late in the half Csonka miscleared near the box, yet Koszta's header only found the top of the net, and in stoppage time Rab shot wide after a fine solo run.

Drama at the very end

The second half was more balanced, with Honvéd seeing more of the ball but few clear chances. A crowd of almost 5,000 created an excellent atmosphere.

This time the second drinks break favoured Vasas. In the 74th minute Urblík broke clear but pushed the ball too far past the goalkeeper and it ran out of play. A minute later came the equalising chance: Vasas were awarded a penalty for handball by Csontos, prompting furious protests from the Kispest bench, who pointed to an earlier incident they felt had been missed. Milán Tóth took the spot kick and, although Hadzikic saved the poorly placed effort, Tóth converted the rebound (1-1).

In the 87th minute Vasas almost turned it around when substitute Rajmund Horváth bundled in a cross from the right, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Just as everyone had settled for a draw, the seventh minute of stoppage time brought the decisive moment: after a long free-kick, Dániel Csóka flicked the ball on and it found the far corner (1-2).

The win took Vasas to eight points and top spot, and ended a four-match winless run against Honvéd.