Netherlands round-up: PSV extend victory roll

PSV Eindhoven maintained their seven-point lead at the top of the Eredivisie table with a 12th consecutive league victory at the weekend.

First-half goals
Guus Hiddink’s side enjoyed a comfortable 5-0 victory at SBV Vitesse, and were in control of the game as early as the second minute when Vitesse midfield player Jan van Halst put through his own goal. The points were all but secured before half-time as goals from Arjen Robben and Mark van Bommel made it 3-0.

Late goals
Substitute Arnold Bruggink completed the win in the last ten minutes, scoring twice to seal a comfortable victory for the away side, who are at home to second-placed AFC Ajax next Sunday. Ronald Koeman’s Ajax stayed in touch with the leaders with a 2-1 home win against SC Excelsior.

Early shock
The visitors took the lead after four minutes through Cecilio Lopes but Ajax quickly recovered from the early setback and Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalised midway through the first half. Ajax continued to push forward in search of the win after half-time and finally sealed all three points nine minutes from time as Ibrahimovic scored his second goal of the game.

Van Hooijdonk involved
Feyenoord stayed in third place thanks to another 2-1 win, away at NEC Nijmegen, despite falling behind to Rob Wielaert’s penalty after eleven minutes. Pierre van Hooijdonk equalised for the away side ten minutes before half-time but then conceded a second penalty five minutes into the second half. However, Feyenoord goalkeeper Patrick Lodewijks saved Wielaert's effort.

Late winner
The game looked like ending level until three minutes from time, when Van Hooijdonk’s deflected free-kick sealed three points that kept Feyenoord on course for a place in the UEFA Champions League.

Exciting game
RKC Waalwijk consolidated in fourth place with a 4-2 victory at De Graafschap. Goals from Robert Fuchs and Peter van den Berg in the first ten minutes gave the away side the perfect start, although Hans van der Haar pulled a goal before half-time.  Rick Hoogendorp restored Waalwijk’s two-goal lead after 70 minutes but was then dismissed for his second yellow card seven minutes later. Van der Haar’s second goal set up a tense finale, but Yuri Cornelisse’s injury-time fourth settled the result.
 
Utrecht blow
The game between Roda JC and NAC Breda ended goalless, while FC Utrecht suffered a second defeat in five days with goals from Michael Buskermolen and Barry van Galen securing a 2-0 success for AZ Alkmaar.

Last-gasp equaliser
Meanwhile, Paul Matthijs’s added-time goal salvaged a point for FC Groningen at home to Willem II, who had taken the lead 12 minutes earlier through Mourad Mghizrat. Bottom side FC Zwolle were held to a 1-1 draw RBC Roosendaal, while SC Heerenveen enjoyed a 3-0 win at home to FC Twente.