Replacements reignite AZ charge

By Berend Scholten

AZ Alkmaar salvaged a last-gasp victory at SC Heerenveen to remain in touching distance of PSV Eindhoven at the top of the Eredivisie, and now lie eight points clear of third after AFC Ajax were shocked by FC Twente.

Inspired substitutions
Petter Hansson's 77th-minute strike looked to have earned Heerenveen a hard-fought point against front-runners AZ, cancelling out Stein Huysegems' first-half strike. But with less than three minutes of the game remaining substitute Tarik Sektioui edged the visitors back into the lead before another replacement, Olaf Lindenbergh, made it 3-1 in added time.

Twente score win
The result means AZ move to within two points of PSV after Guus Hiddink's side had opened a healthy cushion with their 4-1 win against RBC Roosendaal on Wednesday. The title looks to be between the two sides, who meet next Saturday, as their nearest rivals Ajax were defeated by Twente in Amsterdam. Blaise N'Kufo and Sharbel Touma were both on target, cancelling out Julien Escudé's early strike. Twente, who finished the match with ten men following Ramon Zomer's dismissal, remain 13th.

Kuijt hat-trick
The biggest win of the weekend came at De Graafschap, where the league's top scorer Dirk Kuijt hit a hat-trick as visitors Feyenoord coasted to a 7-2 victory. Romeo Castelen and Nicky Hofs were also on target and Danko Lazovic scored twice as Ruud Gullit's side cemented fourth place, while De Graafschap remain in relegation trouble.

Den Bosch defeated
FC Den Bosch are still below them, however, after a 2-0 defeat at ADO Den Haag. The home side celebrated their centenary in style as Ferrie Bodde broke the deadlock before Edson Rolando Silva Souza - making his debut after joining from Tottenham Hotspur FC on loan - scored with his first touch after coming on 21 minutes from time.

Vitesse victory
With Heerenveen losing, SBV Vitesse rose to fifth as Youssouf Hersi, Michael Jansen and Matthew Amoah helped them to a 3-0 win at home against Roda JC. RKC Waalwijk beat FC Groningen by an identical scoreline after Rick Hoogendorp gave them an early lead with his fifth goal in as many games.

Rare Willem win
Elsewhere, Dave van den Bergh and Sander Keller were both on target as FC Utrecht defeated NAC Breda and Willem II won their first home match since October with a 4-1 victory against NEC Nijmegen.