FC Utrecht secure first win of the season in extremis

FC Utrecht grabbed their first Vriendenloterij Eredivisie win of the season on Sunday in dramatic fashion. Dani de Wit was the hero in the 93rd minute, lifting a deft chip over Excelsior goalkeeper Stijn van Gassel to make it 1-2.

Still searching for a first victory, the visitors from Utrecht started brightly and were denied in the second minute when Adrian Blake hit the post. Excelsior also looked dangerous and created chances through Ágúst Thorsteinsson and Aymen Sliti. The home side just could not find a goal.

FC Utrecht broke the deadlock late in the first half. Stepanov scored from close range to the delight of the travelling supporters. It was a blow for Excelsior, who could not hit back before the break.

After an hour, Anthony Correia turned to his bench for fresh legs. Sem van Duijn and Yoann Cathline were among those introduced, while Davy van den Berg dragged a shot just wide for the visitors.

Excelsior kept pushing and got their reward in the 76th minute. The lively Sliti got across his man to meet a cross from the right and beat Vasilios Barkas with a low finish from a difficult angle. The goalscorer's delight was clear.

Belief grew in the Rotterdam side as they pushed for all three points on home soil and continued to trouble FC Utrecht. But De Wit left the home crowd stunned in stoppage time, chipping Van Gassel to seal it.

That made it a bitter pill for Excelsior, who had fought back admirably. FC Utrecht celebrate and travel to Feyenoord next week.