Vitesse averted a new crisis with a 2-1 win against FC Emmen. It was the second straight Eredivisie win under coach Phillip Cocu. Emmen has been waiting for a win for eight games.

The painful elimination of the Kozak Boys in the KNVB Cup was still thundering in Arnhem. Not happy with the players’ reaction to the cup debacle, core Vitesse fans stayed away in protest for the first half. “No respect, no support,” read one banner.

VAR puts a line through Tor Diemers

There was not an immediate reaction on the field. FC Emmen opened strongly and seemed to take the lead through Mark Diemers. Diemers rolled the ball into the far corner and cheered away to celebrate his first Eredivisie goal since January 31, 2021. However, the VAR intervened. Diemers was offside for ten long.

Emmen then came close to taking the lead again after a bet from Miguel Araujo. The ball went just wide over Melle Meulensteen and the post. However, the goal fell on the other side. Gabriel Vidovic hit the net after a pass from Kacper Kozlowski, and a little later Kozlowski shot the post.

Hardcore sees no goal from Vitesse

Maximilian Wittek Vitesse made it 2-0 with a free kick just in time for half-time. Goalkeeper Mickey van der Hart van Emmen misjudged, among other things, thanks to a lousy wall.

With Vitesse’s core back in the stands, the second half began. The fans did not see a new Vitesse goal. After a soporific performance, it was Diemers who scored his first goal in a year and a half with a modified shot. The goal did not lead to a final offensive from Emmen.

Reactions from Vitesse coach Phillip Cocu and FC Emmen goalkeeper Mickey van der Hart.