The penultimate round of the Eredivisie was played on Sunday with all 18 clubs in action. Below is a round-up of all the action.
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Excelsior 3-0 Feyenoord
Feyenoord have blown their chance to win the title after a shock 3-0 defeat at Excelsior, who have confirmed their place in the Eredivisie next season. Nigel Hasselbaink, Stanley Elbers and Ryan Koolwijk all scored in the second half to claim a famous win for the hosts.
Feyenoord now head into the final game of the season at home to Heracles with a one point lead at the top. The title is still in their hands, but next week will be a nervy affair in Rotterdam
Ajax 4-0 Go Ahead Eagles
Ajax have kept their title chances alive with a simple 4-0 win over Go Ahead Eagles, who are relegated to the Eerste Divisie.
Peter Bosz rung the changes for the game and it was Justin Kluivert who opened the scoring with a strike from distance in the 25th minute before Kasper Dolberg made it 2-0 with a calm finish. Substitutes Frenkie de Jong and Mateo Cassierra then wrapped up the win in the second half.
One point is the difference at the top now and Ajax head into a crucial week full of confidence. They head to Lyon on Thursday before their league campaign ends at Willem II.
Groningen 1-1 PSV
PSV will have to settle for third after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Groningen.
The hosts took the lead in the first half through Mimoun Mahi who found the net with a strike from just outside the box. Substitute Sam Lammers earned PSV a point with his first Eredivisie goal early in the second half, nodding in from close range.
Both sides could have won the game before the end while Lammers had another goal disallowed.
The point keeps Groningen 10th and a European play-off place looks unlikely while PSV’s poor season is staggering to an end.
Utrecht 1-0 Vitesse
Willem Janssen netted a last minute winner for Utrecht as they edged out cup winners Vitesse in a tight game.
Utrecht have already confirmed fourth spot while Vitesse’s cup win secured their place in Europe next season and the game was played like there was nothing on the line. It was heading for a bore draw until the final seconds when Janssen netted the winner.
NEC 2-1 AZ Alkmaar
NEC kept their slim chances of avoiding the relegation play-offs alive with a much-needed win over 10-man AZ Alkmaar.
The hosts took the lead after half an hour through Julian von Haacke but ex-NEC man Alireza Jahanbakhsh levelled the scores with a tap-in just before the break.
Ridgeciano Haps saw red in the second half to give NEC an advantage which they took late on when Taiwo Awoniyi headed in from close range to make it 2-1. With results elsewhere not going their way, NEC stay second bottom but they still have a chance of escaping danger next week at Heerenveen.
Roda JC 1-0 Willem II
A 90th-minute winner by Abdul Ajagun has kept Roda JC out of the relegation zone.
With Sparta and NEC both winning it seemed Roda JC were heading into the bottom three as they were being held to a goalless draw. However with seconds left Ajagun netted a huge winner for the Kerkrade side, who stay two points ahead of both Sparta and NEC heading into the final round.
Roda JC travel to Vitesse next week.
Sparta 1-0 Twente
Martin Pusic earned Sparta Rotterdam a crucial victory in their battle to avoid the drop.
All eyes in Rotterdam were on Excelsior v Feyenoord but across the city Sparta were fighting for their survival and in a tense game they snatched all three points in the 66th minute when Pusic raced through on goal before lifting the ball over Nick Marsman.
Sparta are now two points behind Roda JC and they must beat already relegated Go Ahead next week to avoid the relegation play-offs.
Heracles 4-0 ADO Den Haag
Heracles kept their chances of reaching the European play-offs alive with a 4-0 win over ADO Den Haag.
After only five minutes, Reuven Niemeijer opened the scoring with a lovely finish after taking the ball down on his chest. The midfielder then doubled his sides lead with a low strike into the bottom corner. Samuel Armenteros and Thomas Bruns then wrapped up the simple win in the second half.
Heracles are now ninth and level on points with eighth placed Heerenveen, who hold the last play-off spot. ADO Den Haag are comfortably 14th.
PEC Zwolle 2-1 Heerenveen
PEC Zwolle confirmed their safety with a win over Heerenveen despite being reduced to ten men early in the game.
Ouasim Bouy was given his marching orders after only 18 minutes but Heerenveen couldn’t take advantage of having a man extra. Danny Holla gave the hosts the lead on the half hour mark before Queensy Menig sealed the win in the second half. Reza pulled one back for Heerenveen in injury time but it was just a consolation.
The defeat leaves Heerenveen in danger of missing the play-offs for a Europa League place, while PEC Zwolle move up to 14th.
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