Eerste Divisie round-up: Dalinga goes into double figures as Excelsior stay top; De Graafschap come from behind to win

Dalinga scores again

Thijs Dalinga scored his 10th goal of the season as Excelsior edged past FC Emmen 1-0 to remain top of the Eerste Divisie.

The 21-year-old nodded in a header from close range after a clipped cross from Marouan Azarkan in the 32nd minute.

Ongekend Thijs Dallinga! 👑 De topscorer in de Keuken Kampioen Divisie: 10 uit 10!

📺 ESPN
#️⃣ #emmexc pic.twitter.com/LJWej8zywU

— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) October 9, 2021

The visitors held on to their 1-0 lead but had goalkeeper Michael Brouwer to thank after he produced a brilliant fingertip save from Rui Mendes’ strike.

In a fiery atmosphere, Excelsior held on for their sixth win of the season and bounced back after losing their last two away games, conceding seven goals.

FC Emmen were beaten for the first time in five after winning their last four games.

De Graafschap stay in touch

Elsewhere, De Graafschap came from a goal down to beat Almere 2-1 and stay level on points with the leaders, separated by just goal difference.

Defenders Jasper Van Heertum and Julian Lelieveld helped the ‘Super Farmers’ turn the game on its head after Bram van Vlerken gave Almere the lead.

Almere were beaten for the third time in their last four games.

Other results

Elsewhere, Thomas Verheydt scored a hat-trick as ADO Den Haag beat struggling Den Bosch 3-2.

De @CSUcleaning Man of the Match! @TVerheydt 💪 pic.twitter.com/oZP4a0BBbl

— ADO Den Haag (@ADODenHaag) October 10, 2021

The forward has now scored seven goals in the league this season.

Bottom club Dordecht fell to a 1-0 home defeat against Helmond Sport, losing their sixth game of the season.