Two goals in the opening 18 minutes from Jefferson Farfan and Eduardo Alcides gave the hosts the impetus they required as they put their midweek exit from the KNVB Cup behind them against their relegation-threatened opponents.

Farfan scored in the third minute, with Alcides' 18th minute deflected effort helping Ronald Koeman's team pull clear of closest rivals FC Twente at the expense of RKC, who remain second-bottom.

Elsewhere on Saturday, FC Groningen climbed back into the UEFA Cup play-off spots after an entertaining 3-1 victory over 10-man NAC Breda.

Mark-Jan Fledderus gave the hosts an early lead before Edwin de Graaf's equaliser levelled matters shortly after half-time.

However, Erik Nevland and a Koen van der Laak penalty sealed the win for Ron Jans' team, while Mike Zonneveld was shown a straight red card for conceding the penalty that all but sealed his team's fate.

In Arnhem, two goals inside the final 10 minutes handed lowly Excelsior their first league win in 13 attempts, 3-2 at Vitesse.

Danko Lazovic fired the hosts into an early lead but Johan Voskamp levelled things up for Excelsior 19 minutes after the interval.

Ruud Knol restored the hosts' advantage just six minutes later and the match appeared all but won for Aad de Mos' men.

However, Eldridge Rojer popped up with the visitors' second goal on 84 minutes before Andwele Slory stunned the Gelredome faithful with the winner just four minutes from full-time, to help Excelsior climb out of the bottom three on goal difference.

Free-falling Vitesse are now without a win in six games, but sit 13 points clear of the drop zone.

The night's final game saw Willem II and Sparta Rotterdam battle out a goalless draw which did little for either team as they bid to pull away from the danger zone.

Willem remain languishing in 14th spot in the standings, with Wiljan Vloet's Sparta just one place better off - albeit six points the healthier.