Louis van Gaal's men went into the clash knowing the Amsterdammers had wiped out the gap by beating ADO Den Haag 3-0 in an early kick-off and the pressure grew as they contrived to miss a host of presentable chances against NEC.

But Graziano Pelle came to the rescue with a 75th-minute winner which ensured AZ sit atop the table heading into the winter break.

Dario Cvitanich proved he is more than ready to step into the boots of Real Madrid-bound Klaas Jan Huntelaar as he notched a hat-trick to help Ajax humble struggling ADO Den Haag.

With Cvitanich grabbing his first two inside 18 minutes, it seemed as if it would be a repeat of last week's 6-0 humbling of De Graafschap.

The goalrush never materialised but Cvitanich completed his hat-trick shortly before the hour mark to seal the victory and leave Ajax hot on the heels of the leaders.

Huntelaar was watching from the stands before saying goodbye to his fans and it was apt he was there to see his replacement emerge.

Heerenveen substitute Paulo Henrique had the final say in a hectic final few minutes to snatch back a 3-2 win against Groningen that the visitors seemingly let slip in injury time.

Trond Sollied's side has looked on course for victory as they headed into time added on 2-1 ahead only to concede a leveller to Andreas Granqvist.

But Heerenveen would not be denied a win that moves them above their rivals and into sixth place in the Eredivisie table as Henrique bobbed up with a winner just moments later.

The visitors had gone ahead through a Danijel Pranjic penalty in the 12th minute only for that effort to be cancelled out when Garcia Gonzalo was on target seven minutes after half-time.

Arnor Smarason then netted what was seemingly the winner 14 minutes from full-time, before the late fireworks.

FC Utrecht claimed a 3-1 victory over Roda JC with the hosts scoring all of their goals in the opening half.

Cedric van der Gun, Simon Cziommer and Loic Loval put them out of sight with Marcel Meeuwis getting one back after the break for Roda.

Yesterday, FC Twente made sure they held on to their four-point lead over PSV Eindhoven and remain third with a goalless draw at the Philips Stadion.

Arjan Swinkels scored a second-half winner to end Willem II's four-match losing streak and condemn 10-man Sparta Rotterdam to yet another fruitless away trip as they tumbled to a 3-2 defeat.

Sparta have earned a reputation as the Eredivisie's worst travellers and they lived up to their reputation when they fell two goals behind to strikes from Rens van Eijden and Frank Demouge early on.

Sparta's frustrating away form was then highlighted in a three-minute period before the break when Ruud Knol pulled a goal back from the penalty spot only for Edouard Duplan to be sent off.

That looked to have undermined Sparta's hopes but Joey Godee brought them level after the break and when veteran goalkeeper Harald Wapenaar saved a Demouge penalty their fortunes looked to be turning.

But another disappointing away trip would be confirmed soon after with Swinkels striking the winning goal after 58 minutes.

Vitesse Arnhem coach Hans Westerhof could have earned himself a stay of execution after steering his side away from the relegation zone with a 3-1 victory over rock-bottom FC Volendam.

Alexander Buttner got Vitesse off to the perfect start, firing them into the lead in the seventh minute, before Santi Kolk doubled his side's lead in the 25th minute.

Melvin Platje grabbed one back for the visitors shortly after the interval but Mads Junker restored his side's two-goal cushion eight minutes from time.

De Graafschap claimed only their fifth away point of the season with a goalless draw at mid-table Heracles.

On Friday night Feyenoord ended a run of three straight defeats in style to deliver another blow to NAC Breda's title hopes with a 3-1 victory.

Leroy Fer grabbed a brace after Diego Biseswar had opened the scoring as the hosts opened up a seven-point cushion over the bottom three.

Matthew Amoah was on target for the visitors four minutes from time.