Eredivisie round-up: PSV extend lead with Vitesse win
Saturday 23 December 2017 22:20, UK
PSV Eindhoven tightened their stranglehold on top spot in the Eredivisie table with a 2-1 victory over Vitesse at Philips Stadion.
The league leaders sit eight points ahead of Ajax and AZ Alkmaar, who are joint second, but had to work for their win over Vitesse after slipping a goal behind when their former forward Tim Matavz struck for the visitors in the 33rd minute.
Daniel Schwaab and Hirving Lozano pounced either side of the interval, however, to secure PSV's 15th win in 18 games this season.
AZ drew level with Ajax - who play on Sunday - following a thrilling 3-1 victory over mid-table Heerenveen at the AFAS Stadion that saw them come from behind to prevail with a late flurry of goals.
The action ignited three minutes after the interval when Pelle van Amersfoort fired the visitors into the lead, only for their victory hopes to recede when Morten Thorsby was shown a straight red card.
An 80th-minute own goal by Denzel Dumfries saw the teams draw level before Nigeria striker Fred Friday scored twice in the last six minutes to complete the win.
Relegation-threatened NAC Breda were surprise 3-1 victors over Utrecht, who had Rico Strieder sent off for a second bookable offence in stoppage time.
Pablo Mari, Thierry Ambrose and Angelino were on target for Breda at Rat Verlegh Stadion, to deal Utrecht a setback in their hopes of qualifying for Europe.
In Saturday's last fixture, Excelsior and Twente fought out a 0-0 draw.
