FC Utrecht - AZ: 3-0

The match against AZ was preceded by an impressive tribute to Mihai Nesu. The entire stadium sang their hearts out for the Romanian's 29th birthday. Nesu was clearly moved by the sound of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.

FC Utrecht took the initiative straight from the kick off, penetrating AZ's half with quick combination football. The first shot on goal was also from Utrecht. Kali started the attack and got the ball back via Alexander Gerndt and Nana Asare but his shot was forced wide by an AZ leg.

AZ defender Nicklas Moisander had to leave the field after 15 minutes for pulling Asare down in the penalty area. The spot-kick was put away mercilessly by Gerndt. Six minutes later Gerndt had FC Utrecht celebrating again. A deflected ball landed at the Swede's feet on the edge of the box. With a powerful shot, he passed goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado for the second time.

3-0
AZ had difficulty playing with ten men. Trainer Gertjan Verbeek took off striker Brett Holman for defender Nick Viergever. AZ's most dangerous moment came from a Rasmus Elm free kick. The ball swung in from the left onto the roof of Junior Fernandez's goal. Utrecht scored again just before half time. Edouard Duplan received the ball from Frank Demouge, cut through the AZ defence and scored Utrecht's third of the match and his fifth of the season. The teams went in at half time with the score at 3-0.

After the break AZ trainer Verbeek substituted Maarten Martens and Charlison Benschop for Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Jozy Altidore. The first shot on goal was again for Utrecht. Gerndt received the ball and entered the penalty area with ease but his shot went over the crossbar. AZ had a good chance after an hour's play. A shot by Simon Poulson was turned by an alert Fernàndez in the Utrecht goal. AZ played a better second half thanks to the substitutes but had no real chances in front of goal. The team from Alkmaar were dangerous but the few opportunities they had were met by the excellent Junior Fernàndez in the right place at the right time.

The best chances were for FC Utrecht with shots by Gerndt and Cedric van der Gun. A self-created attack by Van der Gun was enthusiastically cheered on by the crowd as the attacker slalomed into the penalty area from the left wing. His effort deserved better but failed to find the goal.

The win against AZ lifts Jan Wouters' team one place to 11th position in the Eredivisie.

Next week FC Utrecht travel to Enschede to face FC Twente at 14:30 on Sunday afternoon.

Attendance 19,500

Characteristics:
1-0 15’ Gerndt (pen.)
2-0 21’ Gerndt
3-0 41’ Duplan

Red: Moisander (14'),
Yellow: Marcellis (18'), Demouge (24'), Elm (39'), Van der Hoorn (90')

Referee: Pol van Boekel

FC Utrecht line-up: Fernàndez, Markiet, Schut (56’ Van der Hoorn), Wuytens, Bulthuis, Duplan Mårtensson (73’ Van der Gun), Asare, Kali, Gerndt, Demouge (86’ Veldwijk).

AZ line-up: Esteban, Marcellis, Moisander, Klaven, Poulsen, Maher, Martens (46’ Gudmundsson), Elm, Beerens, Benschop (46’ Altidore), Holman (25’ Viergever).