Utrecht surge in second half to extend winning run | OneFootball

Utrecht beat Heerenveen 3-2 at Stadion Galgenwaard, extending their winning run to four matches.

Vasilis Barkas kept Utrecht level before the break with sharp stops, notably denying Jacob Trenskow. Jesper Karlsson went close at the other end as a busy first half ended goalless.

Artem Stepanov tapped in the opener in the 46th minute. Dylan Vente levelled from Joris Overeem's through ball (54.), but Mike van der Hoorn restored the lead with a towering header from Souffian El Karouani's cross (56.). Moments later, El Karouani finished a Niklas Vesterlund delivery to stretch the advantage (58.).

Trenskow gave Heerenveen hope with a precise free kick (77.). Late on, Bernt Klaverboer saved well from Adrian Blake and Yoann Cathline to keep the contest alive.

An enforced change saw Siebe Horemans replace the injured Alonzo Engwanda at the interval, but Utrecht still found repeated joy down the flanks through Vesterlund and El Karouani after the restart.

Utrecht registered 23 attempts and won nine corners as their front line carried the threat. Heerenveen had 59% possession, moving the ball well without finding a late equaliser.