Eredivisie round-up: FC Twente relegated after Vitesse defeat

Image: FC Twente midfielder Danny Holla could not help the club from relegation

Former Eredivisie champions FC Twente have been relegated from the league after a thumping 5-0 defeat at Vitesse on Sunday.

The Tukkers, who won the title in 2010 and were runners-up in 2011, will finish bottom and cannot contest the play-offs.

Relegation was confirmed after Bryan Linssen and Tim Matavz both scored twice with Thulani Serero also netting for Vitesse on Sunday.

Twente were spared from relegation two years ago after, having initially been demoted, their appeal against financial irregularities was upheld. But there will be no reprieve this time.

They went into the game four points from safety needing to better the result of either Roda JC or Sparta Rotterdam to take it to the final weekend but will now play in the Eerste Divisie next season.

Advertisement

NAC's 3-0 win over Heerenveen moved them three points above the relegation play-off spots heading into next Sunday's finale after goals from Mitchell te Vrede, Paolo Fernandes and Pablo Mari.

But Roda kept their survival hopes alive after a 4-1 win at VVV-Venlo, although they will need to beat Den Haag next week and hope for a 10-goal swing to overhaul NAC.

Also See:

Jannes Vansteenkiste, Dani Schahin, Adil Auassar and Mario Engels completed a comprehensive win with Torino Hunte netting for Venlo.

Sparta lost 3-1 at fourth-placed Feyenoord and they will contest the relegation play-offs despite Fred Friday's opener.

Steven Berghuis' double either side of a Frederik Holst own goal completed the comeback for Feyenoord.

Gaston Pereiro's second-half brace denied Den Haag the chance to close the gap on the Europa League play-off spots as champions PSV came back to draw 3-3.

Bjorn Johnsen's double and Abdenasser El Khayati had put the hosts on course for victory until Pereiro struck with five minutes left to keep Den Haag ninth. Hirving Lozano had opened the scoring for PSV.

Donny van de Beek, Justin Kluivert and David Neres netted as runners-up Ajax beat third-placed AZ Alkmaar 3-0.

Heracles Almelo blew an early two-goal lead as FC Utrecht fought back to claim a 2-2 draw and remain fifth.

Mark van der Maarel and Sander van de Streek hit back for the visitors after Jaroslav Navratil and Brandley Kuwas had put mid-table Heracles 2-0 up after just five minutes.

FC Groningen hammered Excelsior 4-0 thanks to a brace from Tom van Weert and strikes from Ritsu Doan and Samir Memisevic.

Ismail Azzaoui struck for Willem II as they beat PEC Zwolle 1-0 to guarantee their safety.

Fantasy Head to Head

Challenge a mate in our brand new Fantasy Football head-to-head mode. Play for free!

Outbrain