Dutch Eredivise Roundup, Nov. 6

FC Twente continue to set the pace in Holland and pulled four points clear of the chasing pack in the Dutch Eredivisie on Saturday.

Twente remain well on course to defend their Eredivisie crown following a 2-1 victory over Excelsior.

Leen van Steensel handed the visitors a shock 2nd minute lead at the Arke Stadion, but they were unable to hang on to that advantage. Nacer Chadli levelled matters after 25 minutes and Marc Janko ensured it was Twente who took the spoils when he pounced 15 minutes from time.

Groningen have now won four of their last five fixtures after seeing off struggling NAC Breda 2-1. Andreas Granqvist was undoubtedly the star of the show, as he scored all three goals.

The Swedish defender put through his own net after two minutes to get Groningen off to the worst possible start, but he made amends in some style thereafter. He successfully converted from the penalty spot on 16 minutes to bring the scores level and grabbed what proved to be the winner three minutes before half-time.

Heerenveen remain upwardly mobile after they edged a 3-2 thriller with Heracles Almelo. The hosts appeared to be cruising at the interval, with Michel Breuer (26) and Roy Beerens (pen 40) putting them in compete control.

However, that lead disappeared inside the space of six second half minutes as Willie Overtoon notched from the spot on 70 minutes and Everton Ramos da Silva equalised shortly after. It looked as though the points would be shared until deep into stoppage-time when an unfortunate own-goal from Birger Maertens settled the tie in Heerenveen's favour.

In the late kick-off, NEC Nijmegen stretched their unbeaten run to four matches with a comprehensive 4-1 mauling of De Graafschap.

Nathaniel Will put them on their way after 21 minutes, before Bjorn Vleminckx took control of proceedings. He bagged his first goal of the night three minutes after half-time, shortly before Muslu Nalbantoglu pulled one back for the hosts.

Vleminckx restored Nijmegen's two-goal lead on 61 minutes and helped himself to the matchball six minutes from time when he completed his hat trick.