Utrecht add to Koeman’s woes

Ronald Koeman’s troubles at AZ Alkmaar continued as the defending champions slipped to a fourth defeat of the Eredivisie season.

Sander Keller’s 14th-minute goal gave FC Utrecht a fifth win in seven matches and maintained their place among the early pacesetters.

Utrecht netted the only goal when Nana Asare’s free-kick on the left found Keller, whose late run into the box was timed to perfection. He outjumped the AZ defence and headed the ball down and past goalkeeper Joey Didulica.

A first-half blitz gave leaders PSV Eindhoven a comfortable 3-1 win over Willem II at the Philips Stadion.

Excellent strikes from Otman Bakkal and Ibrahim Afellay sandwiched an Arjan Swinkels own goal as the hosts raced into a 3-0 lead.

They could not add to their tally in the second half and Willem II pulled one back through Frank Demouge four minutes from time, but it was comfortable for PSV.

FC Twente recovered from conceding an early goal to keep pace with PSV at the top by beating VVV-Venlo 2-1.

VVV stunned the hosts when Achmed Ahahaoui scored after just three minutes, but FC Twente quickly turned the match back in their favour with strikes by Bryan Ruiz and Douglas putting them in front by the 24th minute.

RKC Waalwijk earned their first win of the Eredivisie season in emphatic fashion as they came from behind to thrash Roda JC 4-1.

Having failed to score at home before this game, RKC made up for lost time as they replied to Willem Janssen’s opener with goals from Fouad Idabdelhay, Charlison Benshop, Derk Boerrigter and Fred Benson.

Although RKC remain bottom of the table, their first points of the season will do much to lift the gloom at the Mandemakers Stadion.