AC Oulu emerges as unexpected leaders while HJK secures Helsinki derby victory with Pukki double
Gnistan 0-3 HJK
HJK suffered two losses and earned only four points from four Helsinki derbies last season, yet following a Liiga Cup triumph in February, they demonstrated their dominance in the capital with a convincing 3-0 win at Mustapekka Areena.
The pivotal moment arrived shortly before the break, when Lucas Lingman supplied Teemu Pukki for his second goal of the season. Seven minutes into the second half, the experienced forward showed he retains speed, as he pursued a long clearance from David Ezeh, evaded the keeper and finished off his brace.
With 11 minutes remaining, Mihailo Bogicevic netted his debut goal for the team to seal an easy victory, marking HJK's second win of the campaign as they rebounded from the previous defeat to AC Oulu, whereas Gnistan remain pointless.
Jaro 1-1 KuPS
The title holders KuPS conceded points for the first time this term, snatching a last-minute leveller to end level with Jaro, who have now drawn their last two fixtures but still seek an initial victory.
Jaro believed they had pulled off a shock after the official identified a handball inside the penalty area, and Rudi Vikstrom deceived the keeper from the spot in the 40th minute.
However, the hosts were thwarted in the 90th minute when Petteri Pennanen located Jaime Moreno, who tapped in his third goal of the campaign to divide the points.
AC Oulu 1-0 VPS
Atop the table as the sole team with nine points from three outings stands the unexpected performers AC Oulu, although they relied on a crucial call midway through the second period, when Martti Haukioja received a direct red for hauling down Julius Korkko.
Merely seven minutes on, Oulu capitalised on the numerical edge as Iiro Mendolin's driven effort from the box's perimeter slipped right through to hand the hosts another success, leaving VPS, who ended with nine players after Oluwaseyi Ogunniyi's dismissal in stoppage time, on two points post their inaugural loss of 2026.
TPS 2-0 SJK
The primary rival to Oulu for the strongest opening is TPS, with the fresh promotees reaching seven points from three games via a home success against SJK.
Halfway through the opening period, a deep delivery was headed across by Eetu Turkki for Albijon Muzaci to smash in from near range, and the Kosovan attacker added a second for himself shortly after the interval to confirm back-to-back wins, as SJK have dropped both road games this term.
Mariehamn 2-2 Ilves
A lively encounter on Aland resulted in Mariehamn and Ilves each claiming a share, placing both among the five teams yet to taste victory this season.
The away team took the lead midway in the first half via a Jesse Kilo pullback that Otto Tiitinen steered home, though the locals equalised right at half-time when Emmanuel Patut rifled a volley from a set piece.
Patut set up Sebastian Dahlstrom to flip the game in their favour 10 minutes post-resumption, but Mariehamn led for just eight minutes before Kilo provided his second assist by feeding Teemu Hytonen to level for the Tampere outfit.
Lahti 0-2 Inter Turku
After an initial success, newly-promoted Lahti endure consecutive defeats, falling at home to winless Inter Turku.
Alie Conteh squandered the opportunity to open the scoring after 60 minutes by missing a penalty, but shortly after, FC Inter took the lead from a dead ball, as Johannes Yli-Kokko bent a free-kick beyond the stationary shot-stopper.
Jussi Niska confirmed the result late in added time, allowing the Turku club to claim successive triumphs.