Chery and Sano fire NEC Nijmegen to third after fast start | OneFootball

NEC Nijmegen beat AZ 3-1 in Alkmaar to climb from fourth to third in the Eredivisie, while the hosts slip from fifth to sixth.

In the 10th minute, Tjaronn Chery drove a low strike into the bottom left from outside the box after Noé Lebreton's pass.

Basar Önal doubled the lead (12.) from Kodai Sano's through ball. Jeroen Zoet then saved Bryan Linssen's header (36.), before Troy Parrott halved the deficit from Isak Jensen's cut-back (40.).

Gonzalo Cretazz tipped over Wouter Goes' header (48.) as AZ pressed after the restart. Sano restored the cushion with a left-footer into the top left from distance (52.).

AZ introduced four substitutes on 65 minutes, but the best late chance saw Jizz Hornkamp glance just over from an Ibrahim Sadiq cross (89.).

NEC Nijmegen registered 19 attempts with eight on target. AZ mustered 11 attempts and worked the goalkeeper twice.

Next, AZ host FC Twente in the KNVB Beker quarter finals. NEC Nijmegen face Volendam in the KNVB Beker quarter finals.