Standout star sets the tone for Utrecht with early strike and relentless threat | OneFootball

Ángel Alarcón put Utrecht ahead in the 12th minute with a rising right-footed finish, his all-action display underpinning a 1-1 draw against PEC Zwolle.

Alarcón had already found the right pocket of space to meet Dani de Wit's pass and arrow his shot into the roof of the net, setting the tempo for the hosts.

After the restart he stayed busy, a drive was blocked (49.). Moments later he slipped Yoann Cathline in down the left to create another chance (50.). He then forced Tom de Graaff into a low stop with a firm effort after linking with Jesper Karlsson (78.).

The Spaniard finished with five attempts, two on target, plus four key passes and 12 touches in the box, numbers that captured how he kept Zwolle's back line on edge and repeatedly opened lanes for runners.

Because Utrecht's wide rotations pulled full-backs inside, Alarcón regularly received between the lines and attacked the gaps, sustaining pressure and ensuring the best chances fell to the home side's most dangerous outlet.

Utrecht rise from 10th to eighth and host AZ next. Zwolle remain 12th and welcome Ajax.