Three goals in the last ten minutes saw AZ Alkmaar come from behind to defeat ten-man Heerenveen 3-1.
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After their defeat to Ajax last weekend, AZ Alkmaar looked to get their title challenge back on track and they went close in the opening minutes with Ricardo van Rhijn hitting the crossbar. Moments later, Guus Til went close for the hosts, who were frustrated in a goalless first half.
Three minutes into the second half, Heerenveen stunned the home crowd with Pelle van Amersfoort finishing well past Marco Bizot. Moments later, the goalkeeper prevented his side from going 2-0 down with a smart stop from Michael Vlap.
AZ lost Wout Weghorst through injury, but they were given a lifeline in the 68th minute when Morten Thorsby saw red for his second yellow card.
Despite the man advantage, AZ struggled to find an equaliser until the 80th minute when Denzel Dumfries turned Thomas Ouwejan’s cross into his own net,
In the 84th minute, substitute Fred Friday fired AZ in front after a good pass from Til and the striker then sealed the hosts victory in the final minute, tapping in Jeremy Helmer’s cross.
AZ move level on points with second-placed Ajax, who play on Sunday, while Heerenveen are ninth.