NOS Voetbal•zondag, 22:01
View the summary of AZ – FC Utrecht
AZ has lost its undefeated status in the Premier League. FC Utrecht gave the North Hollanders their first defeat in Alkmaar in a spectacular match with miraculous escapes on both sides: 1-2.
Utrecht, which, together with leader PSV and Feyenoord, is the only team still undefeated in the Premier League, takes second place from AZ with the victory.
NOS
The home team opened strongly and dominated in the first half. Striker Troy Parrott gave AZ the lead in the 24th minute, after a misunderstanding between Mike van der Hoorn and Utrecht keeper Vasilis Barkas.
Until more than half an hour into the first half, nothing was going on and AZ continued to dominate, but yet Utrecht came out of nowhere to level. Yoann Cathline, who came over from Almere City, came in from the left and shot the ball straight into the far corner.
Jans turns 66
FC Utrecht coach Ron Jans, who celebrated his 66th birthday today, was not satisfied with his team’s play despite the tie and made two substitutions at half-time: Victor Jensen came on for Jens Toornstra and Paxten Aaronson for Can Bozdogan.
The substitutions worked out well. FC Utrecht took advantage after AZ winger Jayden Addai lost the ball. Souffian El Karouani crossed and substitute Paxten Aaronson neatly pushed the ball home.
Miraculous in duplicate
In a crazy final phase it could have gone either way. AZ escaped the 1-3 when Utrecht substitute Jensen headed first onto the underside of the crossbar and then onto the top.
It was a miraculous escape and it became miraculous in duplicate. Exactly the same thing happened on the other side. David Møller Wolfe also headed twice onto the crossbar and Utrecht escaped the equalizer.
Addai, Mijnans and Ruben van Bommel also had several chances to score the equalizer and Parrott’s goal was disallowed. But the score remained 1-2 and, unlike AZ, FC Utrecht retained its undefeated status.
