Utrecht hung on to beat De Graafschap 1-0 despite being reduced to ten men for the second game running.
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Last week Utrecht were reduced to ten men in the first half against Heracles but came from behind to record an impressive 4-2 win. Once again Erik ten Hag saw his side reduced when Mark van der Maarel saw red in the second half, but Utrecht had enough to hold on to a 1-0 victory.
De Graafschap began the game positively after their first win of the season last week, and Cas Peeters should have given the home side an early lead, but the striker was denied by Robbin Ruiter. Utrecht gradually grew into the game and on 34 minutes they took the lead with Rico Strieder sending a fierce strike into the top corner from just outside the box.
Utrecht nearly doubled the lead early in the second half but Nacer Barazite saw his shot slide past the post after racing through one on one with Hidde Jurjus.
De Graafschap were given a lifeline with 25 minutes left when van der Maarel was shown his second yellow card for a deliberate handball, but despite a final offensive from the home side Utrecht held on for the three points.
De Graafschap remain bottom, while Utrecht climb to 8th.
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