On-loan midfielder Jeffrey Sarpong set up all four goals with his accurate delivery to pave the way for a third consecutive NEC victory which pushes them seven points clear of the relegation play-off places. A pair of Sarpong corners set up Bram Nuytinck to score a first-half double. However, NAC replied with goals from Ferne Snoyl and Anthony Lurling before half-time. But NEC grabbed two quickfire goals at the start of the second half through Arek Radomski and Patrick Pothuizen to secure the victory. Nuytinck opened the scoring after 18 minutes when he met a Sarpong corner with a firm header from six yards. NAC battled back to snatch the lead before the half-hour mark though. Snoyl drew his side level with a wonderful 25-yard free-kick after 25 minutes and three minutes later Lurling fired in a left-footed shot to stun the home faithful. NAC's lead lasted just seven minutes as Sarpong's delivery again undid the away defence and allowed Nuytinck to head in from close range. With the score locked at 2-2 at the break it was the home side who re-emerged the more positive side and regained the lead 12 minutes after half-time with Sarpong again the architect. This time he crossed from open play to find Radomski who had time to chest down and fire a low right-footed shot from six yards. Two minutes later NEC opened up a two-goal cushion following another precise Sarpong set-piece. Lurling had fouled Radomski on the right wing and Sarpong, who is on loan from Ajax until the end of the season, floated the ensuing free-kick to the far post where 37-year-old defender Pothuizen headed home. The 21-year-old almost set-up a fifth goal on the hour mark when his cross picked out Bas Sibum who hit a powerful drive over the crossbar. NAC were denied a late consolation in injury time when following a goalmouth scramble substitute Joonas Kolkka fired his shot against the crossbar.
