Bart Schenkeveld scored twice to give Excelsior a 3-1 win in their relegation showdown with VVV-Venlo and move them off the foot of the table. Schenkeveld scored either side of half-time to put the hosts in control and Darren Maatsen made the points safe with a third.

Yanic Wildschut grabbed a consolation for VVV, who had Brian Linssen sent off when 1-0 down, but it could not prevent them falling to bottom spot. The win moved Excelsior up to third from bottom, four points from safety.

Nicky Hofs' first-half goal earned Vitesse a 1-0 win at home to NAC Breda. Hofs finished off an excellent team move for his first goal of the season in the 19th minute. Alexander Buttner should have doubled the lead just after the hour mark, but saw his penalty saved by Jelle ten Rouwelaar, while NAC had Anthony Lurling sent off at the death.

The day's other game between ADO Den Haag and AZ Alkmaar was postponed due to a frozen pitch at the Kyocera Stadion.