Substitute Robert Mühren proved to be the hero in Alkmaar as he scored twice to salvage a draw against Vitesse.
Mühren’s introduction breathed life into a game that was stagnant for large periods. AZ were flat and Vitesse took full advantage by scoring twice to silence the home crowd, only for John van den Brom’s substitutions to prove successful in clawing their side back into the match.
Vitesse dominated the early stages of the game and could have taken the lead when Adnane Tighadouini cut inside to shoot, but was denied by Sergio Rochet in the AZ goal.
AZ were restricted to counter-attacks in the first half. They almost scored on the break though when Dabney dos Santos dinked his way through the heart of the visiting defence, although his shot was weak and held by Eloy Room.
Henk Fraser’s men continued to impress on the ball and Lewis Baker gave the Arnhem side a deserved lead when he curled in a magnificent free-kick from 25 yards.
The second half saw Wout Weghorst step into the limelight. After having a header saved at point blank range by Room, the tall striker then clumsily gave away a penalty at the other end. Van Wolfswinkel converted for his fifth goal of the season.
Vitesse then attempted to kill the game off. However, the introductions of Muamer Tankovic and Mühren injected some much needed impetus for AZ. Tankovic had a shot saved and Mühren was quickest to the rebound to put AZ back into contention.
Ilias Bel Hassani also suffered from a quiet game but found some confidence after the first goal. He was unlucky not to score after his header was disallowed for offside.
AZ did finally find a second goal when Mühren bent in a free-kick from the edge of the area to send the AFAS Stadion into raptures.
There were further chances for both sides in the final minutes of the game, but Yuning Zhang missed at the far post and AZ couldn’t scramble home another free-kick.
Vitesse will feel hard done by after this result and remain sixth behind tonight’s opponents AZ in fifth.
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