The big three in the Eredivisie opened up clear water ahead of the chasing pack at the weekend as PSV, Ajax and Feyenoord all chalked up victories.

PSV Eindhoven kept up their 100% record with a 3-0 home win over Heerenveen. Hirving Lozano scored twice and was involved in the game’s decisive incident, when midfielder Morten Thorsby earned himself a red card for cutting down the striker as he had a clear run on goal. But Luuk de Jong grabbed the headlines with a stunning overhead kick in the 52nd minute to complete the scoring.

Ajax won by the same scoreline at bottom club NAC Breda, helped by a blunder from defender Jethro Mashart, who marked his league debut by chesting the ball into his own net from a corner for the opening goal.

Feyenoord’s 1-0 win over struggling FC Groningen meant they opened up a five-point gap in third place with a game in hand. Heracles Almelo’s promising start to the season continued to unravel as they went down 3-0 at Fortuna Sittard, who climbed to ninth place.

Advocaat effect

Vitesse Arnhem comfortably beat Willem II 3-1 to retain fourth place, but Dick Advocaat’s FC Utrecht are breathing down their necks after a 5-0 home win over De Graafschap brought them level on both points and goal difference.

AZ Alkmaar saw victory slip from their fingers as substitute Patrick Joosten scored a 93rd-minute equaliser for VVV, but only after the video referee overruled an offside flag. Two minutes earlier VVV’s Patrick van Ooijer had seen red for an agricultural challenge on Adam Maher.

PEC Zwolle continued their slide down the table as they lost 3-2 at home to ADO Den Haag despite taking the lead twice, while Excelsior eased their relegation worries by winning 2-1 away to fellow strugglers Emmen.

Results

Saturday

Fortuna Sittard 3-0 Heracles Almelo

NAC Breda 0-3 Ajax

PEC Zwolle 2-0 ADO Den Haag

PSV Eindhoven 3-0 Heerenveen

Sunday

Emmen 1-2 Excelsior

Feyenoord 1-0 Groningen

Utrecht 5-0 De Graafschap

VVV Venlo 2-2 AZ Alkmaar

Willem II Tilburg 1-3 Vitesse Arnhem