FC Groningen 2-3 Excelsior result, stats and report

Ajax dominated every statistical category but could not hold on, with Excelsior scoring twice from minimal chances to earn a 2-2 draw at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Connor Maguire gives his verdict on a result that has no excuse.

PEC Zwolle silenced the home crowd at FC Groningen with a thoroughly professional 3-0 victory, goals from Thom van Bergen, Jorg Schreuders and Tygo Land doing the damage in a display that was far more controlled than their recent results suggested.

Utrecht claimed a 2-1 victory at Excelsior in the Eredivisie despite being outworked for large portions of the match, with Dani de Wit's stoppage-time finish settling it after Aymen Sliti had equalised for the hosts.

GO Ahead Eagles dominated every statistic that mattered but could only rescue a 1-1 draw against FC Groningen at home, with Søren Tengstedt equalising in the 82nd minute after Brynjólfur Willumsson's first-half goal threatened to hand the visitors all three points.

Fortuna Sittard came to Groningen, dominated possession and territory for ninety minutes, and still needed a Justin Hubner own goal in the 87th minute to seal a 3-2 win. FC Groningen competed harder than the scoreline suggests, but they could not hold what they had.

Excelsior came from behind twice to snatch a 2-2 draw at NEC Nijmegen, but the hosts will feel they let two points slip after dominating large periods of the match. Noé Lebreton's stoppage-time equaliser saved Excelsior from defeat.

FC Groningen have conceded in every single Eredivisie match in their last ten, and Ajax arrive on Sunday having scored seventeen goals in their last five. This is not a good combination if you are from Groningen.

SC Heerenveen have not won in five Eredivisie matches and now face an Excelsior side that has scored 25 goals across their last ten. Someone has to stop the bleeding.