How it happened
Leo Östman scored twice after the break and finished with a match rating of 9.2, the best of any player, as IF Elfsborg beat Halmstads BK 4-0.
Elfsborg were ahead inside three minutes through Momoh Kamara. The lead doubled in the 41st minute when an own goal by Gregor put them 2-0 up at the interval.
Östman then took over. He scored in the 61st minute and again in the 78th, ending any prospect of a Halmstad recovery. Halmstad did not score and had no red cards to complain about: the match was played at 11 against 11 throughout.
The numbers
The scoreline reflects the chances. Elfsborg had 18 shots to nine, with seven on target to Halmstad's two, and won the corners eight to four. Their estimated expected goals total was 3.41, against 0.35 for the visitors. Possession was 56% to 44%.
Östman also made two key passes and one assist, from only 24 touches. Alexander Jensen, the defender, earned a rating of 8.2 with one assist and three key passes from 61 touches. Kamara's early goal came with a rating of 7.6.
Halmstad goalkeeper Tim Rönning made four saves and was rated 6.7, which kept the margin from growing.
What it means
Elfsborg are fourth on 40 points after 23 games, with a goal difference of plus 13. Halmstad are 16th on 14 points, 26 behind, having lost 15 of their 23 matches and conceded 44 goals.
Over their last 10 matches Elfsborg have won seven, scoring 17 and conceding six. Halmstad have won three of their last 10 and let in 17.
The result extends Elfsborg's superiority in this pairing: they have won 17 of 25 meetings, Halmstad three, with five draws. The most recent previous meeting, on 16 May, finished 1-1.