Martens lifts AZ back
02/11/2012 10:49:26 PM
AZ Alkmaar regained the lead in the Eredivisie with a 2-0 victory at home to Excelsior on Saturday, while Ajax beat NAC Breda.
Belgian forward Maarten Martens struck a two-minute brace just before the hour mark at the AFAS Stadion, securing all three points for hosts AZ.
They are now three points clear at the top of the table, with second-placed PSV Eindhoven in action at home to bottom side De Graafschap on Sunday.
Defeat leaves Excelsior second-last, just one point off the foot of the table.
In other matches, Ajax accounted for NAC 2-0, thanks to second-half goals from Dmitry Bulykin and Nicolas Lodeiro.
Frank de Boer's reigning champions are up to fourth in the standings, eight points back from the leaders.
Elsewhere, Yanic Wildschut and Nwofor Uche struck in the first 30 minutes at De Koel as strugglers VVV Venlo recorded a much-needed 2-0 win over Groningen.
A third defeat in succession sees Groningen slide to ninth place, while VVV are up to 16th, but still five points adrift of safety.
Finally, Roda JC saw off the visit of NEC thanks to Sanharib Malki's goal in the 56th minute at the Parkstad Limburg Stadion.
Victory lifts Roda up to eighth, inside the Europa League playoff places, while NEC are 12th.