The derby of the north was a one sided affair as ten man Groningen fell to a 3-1 defeat to 10 man Heerenveen.
- By Michael Bell
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Heerenveen were on top from the first minute, and created a number of chances without scoring in the opening half hour. On 33 minutes Rajiv van la Parra finally gave Marco van Basten’s side the lead with an emphatic finish from just outside the box.
Three minutes later it was 2-0 as a swift counter attack saw van la Parra send a ball across the box to Hakim Ziyech, who took a touch before firing past Marco Bizot.
Before the break things went from bad to worse for the home side as Maikel Kieftenbeld prevented Alfred Finnbogason’s effort from crossing the line with his hands, earning himself a red card and Heerenveen a penalty. Finnbogason took the spot kick and sent Bizot the wrong way to make it 3-0.
Heerenveen were reduced to ten men themselves with 20 minutes left as Kenny Otigba brought down Michael De Leeuw with the striker through on goal.
Finnbogason should have made it 4-0 but after rounding Bizot, his shot was cleared off the line by Giliano Wijnaldum.
On 86 minutes Groningen were awarded a penalty when Genero Zeefuik was brought down, and De Leeuw netted a consolation for the hosts.
The win sees Heerenveen move back above PSV and into 5th place, while Groningen lie tenth after their 4th game without a win.
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