Eredivisie: Utrecht 1 Groningen 0

Groningen’s woes showed no signs of abating as the struggling side fell 1-0 at FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie on Friday.

Groningen, who have now lost four in a row, remain fifth on the table but could fall to seventh by the time the weekend’s Dutch fixtures have been concluded.

Utrecht, meanwhile, remain eighth but are now just three points away from Groningen, and their push for a Europa League berth is well and truly alive.

Former Willem II striker Frank Demouge was the hero for the hosts, the substitute finding the net three minutes after being introduced for Leon de Kogel in the 57th minute.

A Utrecht corner kick took a deflection off a Groningen defender on its way to Demouge, who powered home a header from the six-yard box.

The result preserves Utrecht’s unbeaten run of nine matches, though the previous six were all draws.