NEC climb to second with clinical win over Heracles | OneFootball

Match in Five Sentences: NEC Nijmegen beat Heracles 4-1 at the Goffertstadion to climb to second in the Eredivisie. In the 17th minute, Bryan Linssen drilled in from outside the box to set the tone. Lequincio Zeefuik levelled (23.), Tjaronn Chery swiftly restored the lead (42.), VAR then ruled out Sava Cestic's effort for offside, and Basar Önal converted from the spot (57.) after Brayann Pereira was fouled (55.). Dick Schreuder's side controlled the game with 68.6% possession and six shots on target to two. NEC host Utrecht next, while Heracles remain 16th and welcome NAC Breda.

Player of the Match: Noé Lebreton knitted midfield and attack, producing a goal and an assist, three attempts, and completing 37 of 42 passes while winning two tackles.

Stat of the Match: NEC Nijmegen completed 86.6% of their passes, a platform for sustained pressure across both halves.

Three Things We Learned: A disallowed strike for Heracles after a VAR check halted their momentum at a key moment. Brayann Pereira's enterprise won the penalty that Önal converted, underlining NEC's threat from wing-back areas. NEC rise from third to second with 41 points per the live table, while Heracles stay 16th in the relegation play-offs.