Decisive figure carries NEC Nijmegen past Heracles | OneFootball

Noé Lebreton turned the game in the 42nd minute with a measured assist, then added a late finish, as NEC Nijmegen beat Heracles 4-1.

Lebreton first split the visitors' back line with a slide rule pass for Tjaronn Chery to restore the hosts' lead (42.). The timing of his release opened the right channel and shifted momentum before the break.

He stayed prominent after the restart, seeing a central effort blocked from a cut back (49.). Moments later he fed Basar Önal for another driven attempt that was smothered (61.). He then arrived to meet Önal's cross with a header that looped over (73.).

The midfielder capped his display by arriving in the six yard box to convert high into the top right after Youssef El Kachati's square ball (90.). It was a poacher's finish to end any doubt.

He finished with one goal, one assist and three attempts, plus eight touches in the box and 19 successful passes in the final third, evidence of constant presence between the lines. With NEC Nijmegen controlling 68.6% possession, his positioning and tempo changes kept Heracles pinned back in central areas.

NEC Nijmegen rise from third to second in the Eredivisie. Heracles remain 16th in the relegation play off place. NEC Nijmegen host Utrecht next, while Heracles welcome NAC Breda.