In the first half, things never really went Hammarby's way. The Stockholmers did not get any really dangerous scoring chances, even though the away team dominated possession.
Instead, it was Degerfors who first called for a free kick when Noel Milleskog was pulled down by the shirt in what could have been a big chance. However, the referee was content to merely caution Noah Persson for the offence.
Second in the scoring league
Shortly afterwards, the best chance of the first half also came. Nahom Netabay ran through in a free position, rounded Hammarby goalkeeper Warner Hahn, but failed to get a proper finish. Dijan Vukojevic intercepted the ball but hooked his effort high and wide from close range.
0-0 was the score at half-time, which Degerfors was pleased with.
But in the second half, Hammarby made a shock start and took the lead immediately. And as so many times before during the season, the scorer was Paulos Abraham. The 24-year-old's 14th goal of the season. With that, he is second in the Allsvenskan scoring league.
Hammarby had better control of the game in the second half and pressed for more, but no more goals would come.
The result puts pressure on Sirius, who earlier in the weekend's round took an important three-pointer away against Örgryte.
Long break awaits
With eight rounds remaining, the blue and black team from Uppsala has an eight-point lead over Hammarby in the race for the Swedish championship title. For Degerfors, the fight continues in the lower half, where they are in 14th place, which means a qualification spot.
In parallel, reigning champions Mjällby continue to search for their former form. At home against Gais, they suffered a major setback and lost 0-3.
Allsvenskan is now taking a break of almost three weeks as there is an extra-long Nations League window in international football.
