Giovanni van Bronckhorst's Feyernoord, missing suspended captain Dirk Kuyt, beat De Graafschap 3-1 to move clear in third place after a fourth straight win.
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The hosts fell behind after 26 minutes when De Graafschap defender Robin Propper bundled the ball in through a crowded six-yard box.
The home fans were eventually appeased when Michiel Kramer equalised 10 minutes into the second half with a neat finish to convert a low cross at the near post.
Eljero Elia's close-range volley made it 2-1 with 14 minutes left and a late own goal from De Graafschap substitute Thijs Bouma settled matters with six minutes later.
Feyenoord moved three points ahead of AZ Alkmaar, who are at FC Twente this round.
De Graafschap remain a point ahead of bottom club Cambuur, who were beaten 1-0 at home by Roda.
Midfielder Tom van Hyfte put the visitors ahead three minutes into the second half when he knocked in a cross from the right.
That proved enough to end Roda's two-match losing streak and pull the clear of the relegation play-off places.
A first-half goal from Czech forward Jaroslav Navratil on 33 minutes was enough to give Heracles Almelo a 1-0 win at Heerenveen.
Elsewhere, PEC Zwolle saw off Willem II 4-1 at the IJsseldelta Stadion to move into the European play-off places.
Defender Dirk Marcellis put the home side ahead in the 18th minute when he curled in a long-range effort.
Midfielder Queensy Menig made it 2-0 five minutes later, slotting in from 12 yards at the end of a passing move.
Willem II forward Erik Falkenburg reduced the deficit with a glancing header seven minutes before half-time, but Lars Veldwijk restored the two-goal advantage on the hour. Substitute Stef Nijland added a fourth in stoppage time, curling an angled chip into the top-right corner.
