FC Utrecht’s victory over NEC was as comfortable as it was deserved. In the Goffert stadium the result was 0-3 in favour of trainer/coach Erik ten Hag’s team.
 
It was a great evening for everyone who cares for FC Utrecht. From the first minute of the game up to the last. FC Utrecht swang in stormy Nijmegen and showed NEC every corner of the swampy pitch of the Goffert stadium.
 
Haller put an end to all Nijmegen hope
The FC Utrecht goals were all great. The third maybe was not the prettiest of all – although it is all about taste – but it did put the game to bed. Sébastien Haller was the goal scorer after over an hour into the game. And with 0-3 on the scoreboard it was clear: this would not go wrong anymore, even if the home team scored a goal, the margin was still big enough. From that moment on you could lean back in your seat in the stadium or at home on the couch and enjoy the rest of the game.
 
Debutant in the starting eleven scores the 0-1
Nijmegen provided a show before the kick off with fireworks, but as soon as the game started FC Utrecht took over. By playing good football and scoring wonderful goals. Like Zakaria Labyad’s goal. Born in Utrecht, his first time in the starting eleven after coming to FC Utrecht, he scored the 0-1 in a beautiful way after almost half an hour. A fine shot, beautifully into the corner of the goal.
 
Ayoub scores again on foreign soil
Not even ten minutes later the away supporters cheered again. This time Ayoub – the third away game in a row in which he scored – completed a beautiful attack; a delicious combination and an assist by the not scoring but very good playing Sofyan Amrabat: 0-2.
 
As number 4 towards the international match break
In contrast, there was very little NEC could do. Peter Hyballa’s team could have used the points in their fight for preservation, but could not get any grip on FC Utrecht. The formation of trainer/coach Erik ten Hag is number four in the ranking with an international match break coming up. FC Utrecht will resume the competition on Saturday April 1st with a home game against Willem II.

NEC - FC Utrecht 0-3 (0-2)
28. Zakaria Labyad 0-1
37. Yassin Ayoub 0-2
63. Sébastien Haller 0-3

Yellow cards: Julian Von Haacke (NEC) and Zakaria Labyad (FC Utrecht).

Attendance: 11,680.

Referee: Siemen Mulder.

Line-up NEC:
Joris Delle; Michael Heinloth, Dario Dumic, Wojciech Golla, Robin Buwalda (5. Arnaut Groeneveld), Lorenzo Burnet; Julian Von Haacke (81. Janio Bikel), Ali Messaoud (46. Ferdi Kadioglu), Gregor Breinburg; Jay-Ray Grot, Mohammed Rayhi.

Line-up FC Utrecht:
David Jensen; Giovanni Troupée, Ramon Leeuwin, Willem Janssen, Kevin Conboy (74. Jeff Hardeveld); Wout Brama, Sofyan Amrabat, Yassin Ayoub (66. Sean Klaiber), Zakaria Labyad; Gyrano Kerk (82. Richairo Zivkovic), Sébastien Haller.