Eredivisie review: Vitesse held by Heracles

Vitesse Arnhem missed the chance to take over top spot in the Eredivisie after being held to a 1-1 draw by Heracles Almelo.

The home side paid the price for wasting a number of first-half chances as Heracles went ahead three minutes after the interval, Ben Rienstra setting up Ninos Gouriye to slot home from close range.

However, the Arnhem club earned an equaliser after 73 minutes when Mieke te Wierik clattered into Marco van Ginkel in the area. A penalty was awarded and Wilfried Bony kept a cool head with his kick.

Vitesse remain unbeaten this season although the result leaves them one point behind leaders FC Twente, who also have a game in hand.

Willem II fought out a goalless draw at NEC Nijmegen with the point enough to lift them off the foot of the table.

Melvin Platje had the ball in the back of the net for NEC after 12 minutes but the goal was disallowed after he was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper David Meul.

Meul also had to pull off a good save to keep out a shot from Geert Arend Roorda while Ryan Koolwijk curled a free-kick narrowly past the post for the home side, who had the better chances.

A red card for Kevin Conboy two minutes from time for his challenge on Virgil Misidjan eventually knocked the fight out of NEC, but Willem II were unable to capitalise.

Zwolle threw away their advantage to lose 2-1 at home to FC Groningen as their search for a first win of the season continues.

The newly-promoted side were gifted the lead after 23 minutes when a blunder from goalkeeper Luciano allowed Youness Mokhtar to score.

And it looked like Zwolle had done enough until Groningen struck twice in the last six minutes.

Genero Zeefuik equalised after 84 minutes, putting away the rebound after Virgil van Dijk was unsuccessful with his shot, and Michael de Leeuw hit the winner four minutes later by heading home a cross from Maikel Kieftenbeld.

VVV-Venlo are also without a win yet, playing out a 1-1 draw at RKC Waalwijk tonight.

Marcel Seip fired VVV in front after just six minutes, beating the offside trap to chip the ball over goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet.

Henrico Drost hit the crossbar as RKC hunted for an equaliser, while Siep also headed against the post shortly after the interval as the visitors threatened a second goal.

The hosts equalised after 56 minutes when Teddy Chevalier provided the finishing touch to a deep pass from Jeff Stans, and they could have gone ahead 10 minutes later but the woodwork intervened once more to keep out Rodney Sneijder.

PA