A goal and an assist from substitute Nacer Barazite helped Utrecht to a 3-1 win over NEC Nijmegen.
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With AZ losing to Heerenveen, Utrecht knew a win would take them fourth and after only four minutes Ruud Boymans fired the home side ahead after a scramble in the box.
Utrecht failed to build on that goal though, and before the break NEC leveled as right back Todd Kane played a one-two with Gregor Breinburg before smashing the ball into the net.
Nacer Barazite came off the bench in the second half and made an instant impact by heading Utrecht back in front on 70 minutes. The attacker then set up Sebastien Haller to seal victory three minutes later.
NEC were forced to play the last three minutes with ten men after Wojciech Golla saw red for a challenge on Timo Letschert.
Utrecht rise to fourth, while NEC slip to ninth.