Netherlands round-up: Alkmaar stride to second

AZ Alkmaar closed the gap on Dutch First Division leaders AFC Ajax at the weekend by brushing aside FC Zwolle 4-0 at home.

Alkmaar form
Alkmaar are now level on 22 points with last season’s runners-up but behind on goal difference and were in imperious form at home on Saturday, scoring three goals before the break. Moroccan striker Ali El Khattabi put them ahead after only three minutes, and Kenneth Perez and Stijn Huysegems all but wrapped up the three points before half-time. Two minutes after the break Barry van Galen put the finishing touches on his side's seventh win of the season.
 
Skipper dismissed
Ten-man Ajax, meanwhile, drew 2-2 away against reigning champions PSV Eindhoven on Sunday but have done enough in the early stages of the campaign to hang on to first place. Captain Rafael van der Vaart was sent off just before the interval for violent conduct.
 
Goal deluge
All the goals came in the second half with PSV skipper Mark van Bommel opening the scoring before Wesley Sonck equalised. John de Jong restored the lead but Swedish international striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who struck the vital goal in the 1-0 defeat of RC Celta de Vigo in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, salvaged a draw for the visitors. PSV, who were without suspended striker Mateja Kezman, slipped one place to third on 20 points.

Last-gasp win
Feyenoord moved above SC Heerenveen into fourth after a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Willem II, also on Sunday. Thomas Buffel ensured his side picked up all three points with a late winner, beating goalkeeper Geert de Vlieger three minutes into added time after a superb solo run from Brazilian Leonardo.
 
Quinn poise
Antony Lurling had put Feyenoord ahead in the 31st minute but they could not see off the visitors, who made the most of their first clear chance with just two minutes on the clock, James Quinn equalising from close range following a defensive lapse.
 
Late show
FC Twente left it late at home against FC Utrecht as goals in the last quarter of an hour from Kim Christensen and Adil Ramzi salvaged a draw after a double from Hans van der Haar had given the away side, struggling at the wrong end of the table, hope of victory.
 
Turned over
Second from bottom SBV Vitesse seemed on their way to a much-needed win at FC Groningen as Frenchman Didier Martel opened the scoring after 63 minutes - but they ended up losing 2-1. Strikes from Arvid Smit and Martin Drent in the last four minutes were conclusive for the home side.

Second-half revival
RBC Roosendaal also won 2-1, coming from behind to do so against RKC Waalwijk. Said Boutahar gave the home team a one-goal advantage at the break but Sidney Lammens and Esad Razic struck to lift Roosendaal three places to eighth with 12 points.

Hersi decisive
The SC Heerenveen-NEC Nijmegen match finished with an identical 2-1 scoreline. Dennis de Nooijer put the visitors ahead and Youssouf Hersi doubled the advantage 17 minutes into the second half. Georgios Samaras got one back for the hosts four minutes from time but it was too late to inspire a comeback as they suffered their first home defeat of the campaign and slipped one place to fifth, remaining on 15 points.

Spoils shared
In other games, ADO Den Haag and NAC Breda shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Gijs Cales struck first for the home side after 19 minutes, but defender Rob Penders equalised with a header in the last minute. On Friday, FC Volendam won 2-1 at home to Roda JC, who finished with nine men after red cards for Roel Brouwers and Fatih Sonkaya. Misha Salden settled the match with the winner five minutes from time.