Frank Kristensen opened the scoring for the hosts after just four minutes before bagging his second of the game just after the half-hour.

Mickael Murcy pulled one back for Esbjerg to make a game of it in the second half, but substitute Serghei Dadu popped up in stoppage time to seal the win for Midtjylland, who close to within nine points of leaders FC Copenhagen.

Odense BK lost their grip on second place to Midtjylland after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to fourth-placed AaB.

Both the goals came in the opening exchanges, with Rade Prica handing the visitors the lead on three minutes before Srdjan Radonjic claimed a sixth-minute equaliser.

FC Nordsjaelland stay fifth following a thumping 4-1 win at home to Viborg.

Thomas Lindrup set the ball rolling with a goal in the first minute for the hosts, while an Thomas Andie own-goal doubled the advantage on 10 minutes.

Steffan Hojer (22) reduced the deficit, but strikes from Morten Nordstrand (77) and Soren Christensen (90) completed the rout.

Brondby also enjoyed a good day in front of goal, hammering rock-bottom Vejle 4-0.

Martin Ericsson bookended the scoring with a penalty on 15 minutes and a second after 73, while a further spot-kick from Per Nielsen (32) and a Morten Duncan Rasmussen strike on 66 minutes did the rest.

In the day's final game, relegation-haunted Silkeborg did themselves no favours with a tepid goalless draw at home to Randers FC.