Excelsior – Sparta Rotterdam

Excelsior held on for a 2‑1 victory over Sparta Rotterdam at home, extending their lead in the mid‑table. The win lifted the Rotterdam side to sixth place with ten points from six games, a record of three wins, one draw and two defeats and a +6 goal difference. Sparta, meanwhile, remain twelfth with five points, having slipped to a minus‑three goal balance after their third loss of the campaign. The result also tipped the head‑to‑head tally in Excelsior’s favour, as they have now won the only league encounter between the two clubs this season.