Feyenoord Rotterdam take over third place from AZ Alkmaar

The Hague: Feyenoord Rotterdam grabbed the third place in the Dutch Eredivisie football leage, as they beat NAC Breda 3-0, while AZ Alkmaar suffered a humiliating 2-6 defeat at FC Utrecht.

Feyenoord had little trouble against NAC on Sundasy. Lex Immers produced the first goal in the first half and in the second part Mitchell Te Vrede added a brace to make it 3-0. AZ were 3-0 behind after 17 minutes and didn't recover from that blow. French striker Sebastien Haller scored twice for the hosts FC Utrecht, reports Xinhua.

Reigning champions AFC Ajax had difficulties with Excelsior, creating little chances. In the second half, defender Nick Viergever was closest to the opening goal, but he missed. 

On the other side Daan Bovenberg almost scored on behalf of the visitors, but he hit the crossbar. Seven minutes from time Anwar El Ghazi broke the deadlock by heading in a cross by Richairo Zivkovic.

After two defeats in a row against Zenit St. Petersburg in the Europa League (3-0) and against Ajax in the league (3-1) PSV Eindhoven needed a win on Saturday at Go Ahead Eagles. 

The league leaders already secured the 3-0 win in the first half with a free-kick by Memphis Depay, an own goal by Jop van der Linden and the first PSV goal by Mexican international Andres Guardado.

With eight match remaining PSV now lead the standings with 67 points, followed by Ajax (56), Feyenoord (48) en AZ (47). 

The champions qualify directly for the Champions League, the No. 2 will go to the preliminary round of the Champions League, while the third placed team gets a direct ticket to the Europa League.