FC Utrecht have moved up to fourth place in the Eredivisie. Trainer/coach Jean-Paul de Jong’s team was too strong for FC Twente today (Sunday), winning 3-1.

The relief was overwhelming. It was a ticky-tacky goal by FC Utrecht. Cyriel Dessers slipped the ball through to Yassin Ayoub, who gave it to Sander van de Streek and he slotted the ball beautifully into the far corner: 3-1! There was just under 15 minutes still to play in a freezing Galgenwaard, but everyone in the Utrecht football temple seemed to know that this was another three pointer for the Domstad club!

Early setback
Most of the stadium was in raptures but the first goal of the day was an ice cold shower for Utrecht. FC Twente, fighting to save their Eredivisie status, took the lead after just ten minutes, when Haris Vuckic skilfully put away an even more skilful through ball from Danny Holla: 1-0.

Standing tall
FC Utrecht rocked a little but then stood tall against Gertjan Verbeek’s FC Twente. Shortly before the half time whistle, in the time added on to the first half, Utrecht scored the equaliser. Sean Klaiber rifled the ball into the top corner: 1-1; it was the NIeuwegeinaar’s first goal for Utrecht, and the timing was perfect.

Into the lead
Utrecht took the lead halfway through the second half. The turnaround had come 57 minutes after the Tukkers had gone ahead. A beautiful assist from Cyriel Dessers was picked up by one of the men in form, Sander van de Streek left keeper Joël Drommel standing: 2-1!

Eight in a row
Van de Streek’s goal heralded another three-pointer for Utrecht. A goal by Yassin Ayoub ten minutes later put an end to any doubts. FC Utrecht are now unbeaten for the eighth time in 2018, and for the eighth time under Jean-Paul de Jong’s leadership. De Jong has now had the best start of any trainer/coach at FC Utrecht ever.

Fourth
Thanks to Utrecht’s fantastic run in 2018, they are now fourth in the Eredivisie after 25 games this season. Next week, De Jong’s men will face the number one team, PSV next weekend. Utrecht’s next home fixture is against Vitesse on 11 March. Tickets for both PSV away and Vitesse at home are already on sale.

FC Utrecht - FC Twente 3-1 (1-1)
10. Haris Vuckic 0-1
45+1. Sean Klaiber 1-1
67. Sander van de Streek 2-1
77. Yassin Ayoub 3-1

Yellow cards: Cyriel Dessers (FC Utrecht), Cristian Cuevas, Michaël Maria (FC Twente).

Referee: Jochem Kamphuis.

Attendance: 17,755.

FC Utrecht line-up:
David Jensen; Sean Klaiber, Ramon Leeuwin, Willem Janssen, Mark van der Maarel; Rico Strieder, Mateusz Klich (89. Anouar Kali), Yassin Ayoub, Sander van de Streek; Cyriel Dessers (82. Lukas Görtler), Gyrano Kerk (85. Bilal Ould-Chikh).

FC Twente line-up:
Joël Drommel; Hidde ter Avest (28. Jeroen van der Lely), Peet Bijen, Thomas Lam, Cristian Cuevas; Adam Maher, Haris Vuckic, Danny Holla, Michaël Maria; Fredrik Jensen, Adnane Tighadouini (58. Tom Boere).