The Dane, who went into the game yet to open his account for Groningen after signing from AaB in the summer, broke his duck in style with three goals in 28 minutes. Tim Matavz scored the second for the visitors, who led 4-1 at the break. Erik Falkenburg, who had made it 1-1 in the 19th minute, and Sander Van Gessel were on target for Sparta. The win lifted Groningen three points clear of the bottom three and to within a point of their opponents. Claudemir scored an 89th-minute equaliser to earn Vitesse Arnhem a 2-2 draw with FC Utrecht. Vitesse opened the scoring through Lasse Nilsson's penalty, but Ricky van Wolfswinkel levelled four minutes later and Jacob Mulenga gave Utrecht a half-time lead. But, with time running out, Brazilian Claudemir converted Paul Verhaegh's cross to deny the visitors a third straight win. Bas Dost scored twice in the first half to help Heracles to a comfortable 4-1 away win against ADO Den Haag, who dropped to third bottom. The hosts did little to belie their status as likely relegation candidates this season as they allowed Dost to put them two behind inside 20 minutes. Danny Buijs briefly gave the hosts a chance with his 71st-minute strike but goals from Marko Vejinovic and Willie Overtoom inside the closing seven minutes ensured another miserable day in The Hague. Two goals from Mads Junker guided Roda JC to a vital 3-1 victory at fellow relegation candidates Willem II. Junker scored the first and third goals for the visitors either side of a Ruud Vormer strike, with Christopher Gregorie scoring the solitary goal for Willem II, who are level on points with, but one place above, ADO.
