IFK Norrköping's and AIK's standing supporter sections found a common opponent from the kick-off. "The police" shouted one short side, "Soccer killers" replied the other. It went on like that, loud and rhythmic during the first ten minutes of the match.
TV images from HBO Max also showed that it was a real masked chaos in the stands. The supporter sections also set off several bengal fires.
Really on edge
Various banners also told that the authorities and parts of the soccer crowd had come really on edge with each other after last week's events surrounding the mask ban.
In the struggle over who decides in the stands, parts of Norrköping's and AIK's standing sections engaged in a display of breaking the bans on masking and using pyrotechnics.
Who will win in the long run remains to be seen.
In the match on the field, IFK Norrköping took a big step towards all-Swedish play next season with the 3-1 win over third-place team.
The meeting at Parken was intense, hot, and with a controversial leading goal. Amadeus Sögaard was clearly on the ball with his hand before Max Watson pushed in 1-0 from close range. A goal that should not have been approved.
Now it was instead booked as AIK's first conceded corner goal of the season.
Delicious goals
Alexander Fransson's 2-0 was, on the other hand, undisputed - and a little piece of soccer elegance.
Christoffer Nyman, the veteran striker, equaled Åke "Bajdoff" Johansson's record of 321 all-Swedish matches for IFK Norrköping. It was on Nyman's chested ball that Fransson on the volley scored his first all-Swedish goal in five years.
They are in the box twice and we concede two goals. It's a bit too easy, says AIK's national team midfielder Anton Salétros to HBO Max.
Kevin Höög Jansson also offered a dream goal, chest control and a half-volley strike with his left. 3-0 with a quarter left and the win was clear. Dino Besirovic reduced the score with a header.
The three points brought Norrköping up to 29 points. The margin down to the qualifying spot is now seven points.
In the absolute bottom, the train probably left for the bottom team Värnamo. Victor Larsson's own goal gave Halmstad the win with 2-1. Värnamo is seven points behind the next-to-last Degerfors and has ten points up to the qualifying spot. Halmstad also left the spot to Öster at the same time.
Six rounds remain.
