Goals Galore as Molde Edge Start in a Wild Norwegian Eliteserien Clash

Right. Where do you even start with that one?

Start versus Molde. Norwegian Eliteserien. And honestly, if you like clean sheets and defensive discipline, this was probably not the game for you. Because what we got was end-to-end madness, goals flying in at both ends, and Molde coming out on top of a proper open contest.

Let's get into it.

The Big Picture

Look at the numbers first. Start are sitting 15th in the Eliteserien table. Molde are 4th. On paper, this was always going to be a tough ask for the home side. And the goals tell the story pretty bluntly. Start have scored 4 goals and conceded 8 in their campaign so far. Molde? They've put 8 away themselves and let in 7. Neither of these sides is winning any awards for keeping it tight at the back, but Molde have clearly got more going forward.

When you've conceded 8 goals already this season and you're sitting 15th, you are in a bit of a fight. Start know that. Their fans know that. And Molde absolutely knew that coming into this one.

Start's Problems at the Back

Look, 8 goals conceded tells you everything you need to know about what is going wrong for Start right now. There is no way to dress that up. That is a leaky defence. That is a team that is giving opponents far too many opportunities and far too much joy.

And here is the thing about conceding goals... it is not always about individual mistakes. Sometimes it is about a whole unit that is not quite on the same page yet. The organisation is off, the shape breaks down, and suddenly there is space where there should not be space. Start look like a side still searching for that togetherness.

You have to feel for their fans though. Sitting in 15th, watching your side ship goals... that is hard work. The kind of thing that tests your loyalty. But genuine supporters stick around, and Start will need every bit of that support if they are going to turn this around.

Molde's Cutting Edge

Eight goals scored this season. That is a proper return. Molde clearly have players who can find the net, and against a Start side that has been struggling defensively, they were always going to fancy their chances.

Fourth in the table. That is where Molde are. They are not title challengers just yet, obviously, but they are in and around the right conversation. They are a side that scores goals, creates chances, and when the defence holds together, they look like a genuine top-half force.

The 8 goals conceded on their own end does raise a question or two though. Because you cannot keep giving up chances at that rate and expect to push for the very top spots. That is the balancing act for them. They are exciting, they are productive going forward... but there is work to do at the other end as well.

Was This Actually a Good Game to Watch?

Honestly? Probably. For neutrals, a match involving two sides with these attacking numbers is rarely boring. You might not get the tactical masterclass that someone like our mate Rafa would love to sit and admire... but you get goals, you get drama, you get moments.

Yeah but did they win though. That is all that matters at the end of it.

And Molde did. Their quality over the course of the season so far, that gap between 4th and 15th, it showed. Start gave it a go, they always do at home, but Molde had too much.

Where Does This Leave Both Clubs?

For Start, the alarm bells are ringing. Sitting 15th with 8 goals already against you is a position that demands a response. Look at the fixtures coming up. Every single game now is important. You cannot afford to keep leaking goals and expect to stay up comfortably. Something has to change, and it probably has to change soon.

The positive, if you are a Start supporter desperately searching for one, is that they have scored 4 goals themselves. There is something there going forward. They are not toothless. But the defensive side of the game has to improve significantly or this is going to be a very long and stressful season.

For Molde, this is exactly the kind of result you want. Coming away from a difficult ground, picking up the points, and maintaining that 4th place standing. The goals are flowing, the confidence looks decent, and they will be feeling good about where they are right now.

The concern, as I mentioned, is that 7 goals conceded. For a side with genuine top-four ambitions, you would want that number lower. Games like this one, open and free-scoring, they can go either way. Molde were the better side today but they will face tougher tests than Start.

My Takeaway

Look, this was a result that made sense when you look at the table. Molde are the better side right now. Their goals scored column tells you they have real attacking threat, and against a Start defence that has been struggling all season, they were always going to be dangerous.

Start need to address what is happening defensively. Urgently. The goals are coming in at too regular a rate. If they can tighten up and keep building on those 4 goals they have at the other end, there is something to work with. But 8 against is too many.

Molde march on. Start have serious questions to answer. And the Eliteserien keeps on delivering the kind of football that makes you remember why you love this game in the first place. Scenes.