Eredivisie: AZ Alkmaar 3 Vitesse 1

AZ Alkmaar came from a goal down to beat Vitesse Arnhem 3-1 in the Eredivisie, furthering their quest for European football next season.

An upset looked in the offering in Friday’s sole league encounter after Japan defender Michihiro Yasuda fed striker Marco van Ginkel shortly before half-time for the 18-year-old’s fourth league goal of the season.

But – much to their home fans’ delight – the second half belonged to AZ, with Sweden midfielder Pontus Wernbloom kick-starting the recovery with his 63rd-minute strike.

Danish winger Simon Poulsen put his AZ in front in the 81st minute, before his darting run down the left flank ended with Belgian midfielder Maarten Martens stabbing home in a crowded penalty area to ice the game for Gertjan Verbeek’s men.

The win moves AZ Alkmaar to fourth ahead on 46 points, while Vitesse remain just one place above the relegation zone but still with a seven-point buffer on 16th-placed Excelsior.