Utrecht maintain European push with win over Excelsior

FC Utrecht strengthened their pursuit of a top-three Eridivisie finish with a 2-1 home defeat of Excelsior but they had to come from behind to do it.

The visitors' Rick Kruys gave Excelsior the lead in only the fifth minute, with a powerful finish inside the right post from inside the area when time and space came his way after a free-kick.

Utrecht were awarded a 33rd-minute penalty, however, after a handball inside the area, and from it Sebastian Haller calmly equalised.

On the stroke of half-time, Haller headed home his 16th goal of the season and it proved to be the winner.

Utrecht are fifth, a point behind third-placed Feyenoord having played an extra game. Excelsior remain in the bottom three, in 16th, with an 11-goal goal-difference deficit keeping them there.