Eredivisie wrap: Altidore nets hat trick in AZ win

A Jozy Altidore hat-trick inspired AZ Alkmaar to a comfortable 4-1 win over Vitesse in the Eredivisie on Saturday.

All the goals came in a frenetic second half with Altidore opening the scoring after 55 minutes before Roy Beerens doubled AZ’s advantage seven minutes later.

The game was sealed when Altidore scored his second on 64 minutes with the American international wrapping up his hat-trick with little over 10 minutes remaining.

On-loan Chelsea youngster Gael Kakuta managed to score for Vitesse on 83 minutes but it was little consolation as AZ ran out easy winners.

The result ensures Gertjan Verbeek’s side get the second half of their Eredivisie season off to the perfect start while Vitesse are now six points behind leaders Twente who were kept to a disappointing goalless draw with RKC Waalwijk.

In the day’s other games, a last-gasp Eric Botteghin goal ensured NAC Breda recorded an important 1-0 win over fellow relegation strugglers VVV Venlo while a goal in the first minute of the game by Everton saw Heracles beat Heerenveen 1-0 away from home.