Vitesse Arnhem extended their unbeaten run to eleven matches after seeing off Excelsior 3-1 in Rotterdam.
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After the heavy loss to Groningen in the KNVB Cup semi-finals midweek, Excelsior looked to avoid a cup hangover and dominated the early stages against in-form Vitesse. Goalkeeper Eloy Room had to deny Ninos Gouriye, while Rick Kruys and Tom van Weert also wasted good chances.
Against the run of play Vitesse took the lead after 40 minutes when Bertrand Traore curled the ball past Coutinho from the edge of the box. However the lead only lasted two minuted before Room failed to clear a corner and Tom van Weert nodded Excelsior level.
Vitesse dominated after the break and deservedly regained the lead with 20 minutes to go as Traore outpaced Sander Fischer before calmly slotting into the bottom corner. In injury time winger Renato Ibarra sealed the victory with a cool finish after racing through on goal.
The win sees Vitesse climb temporarily above AZ Alkmaar into fourth, while Excelsior are 14th and only four points above 16th placed NAC Breda, who can close the gap with a win over bottom placed Dordrecht on Saturday.
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