Utrecht have tasted defeat in the Eredivisie for the first time this season with VVV Venlo leaving the Cathedral City with a 2-1 victory. Young midfielder Evert Linthorst netted both goals for VVV.
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Utrecht went into the game with seven points and knew a win would put them top of the table. Bart Ramselaar returned to the club yesterday but was not yet in the squad. For VVV Venlo, surprise new signing Lee Cattermole was named on the bench.
The home side dominated possession from the start as expected but it was VVV Venlo who took the lead in the 37th minute. Evert Linthorst headed in the opener at the back post.
The 19-year-old midfielder then stunned the home crowd by making it 2-0 before the break with another close range finish.
A few minutes into the second half, Utrecht were awarded a penalty but after a lengthy delay, VAR revered the decision for an offside.
VVV continued to frustrate the hosts with Cattermole coming on for his debut. In the 76th minute, Utrecht did come back into the game as Adrian Dalmau, making his long-awaited debut for the club, fired in from close range.
Utrecht poured forward looking for an equaliser and were given a boost when nine minutes were added on. However, Dalmau had a goal disallowed for a foul and VVV held on to claim the three points.
Utrecht remains 7th while VVV are ninth.
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