In 2000, a lifetime ago, the Maastricht Football Association last played in the Eredivisie. And given recent results, there’s no reason to expect that to change any time soon.

This season, however, the MVV is the surprise of the first division. And the team underscored that with a hard-fought 1-0 win in the top game against PEC Zwolle. This makes MVV the new number two. They are just a point behind leaders Heracles, who fell against Almere City.

MVV counters to victory

The return of prodigal son Ryan Thomas brought hope to Zwolle, although it will be a while before the New Zealand midfielder is fit enough to start. Even without the reinforcements, MVV had little say in Zwolle, who posed a few threats with strikers Apostolos Vellios and Lennart Thy.

One of the Maastricht side’s first serious attacks hit it straight away: Sven Blummel got the ball from Ruben van Bommel – one of Mark van Bommel’s two sons in the Maastricht squad – and hit it.

For Ruben van Bommel (18) it was his debut in the starting XI, brother Thomas (20) made his debut two years ago.

This lead was disproportionate and even after the break PEC tried to equalize with all their might. The longer that lasted, the greater the frustration in the stands. The game was briefly interrupted in the final phase because MVV goalkeeper Romain Matthys was thrown at.

The greatest chance then went to the guests, but Blummel failed in a direct comparison with goalkeeper Jasper Schendelaar. For MVV it is the best start in the second division since the 1983/84 season. MVV became champion this season

Nice comeback Almere against leaders

Leaders Heracles Almelo also lost 3-2 to Almere City, who came from 2-0 down after the break. Heracles quickly took the lead thanks to two veterans. Marko Vejinovic made a fine pass to Samuel Armenteros, who luffed the ball over the keeper on the inside. That was the Swede’s last performance, who had to pay for his effort with an ankle injury.

When his compatriot Emil Hansson, with a bit of luck, made it 2-0 against the ropes before half-time, the dispute seemed to be settled.

Coach Alex Pastoor brought order at half-time, because in the second half the game turned within four minutes. Stije Resink, who came on as a substitute, surprised goalkeeper Michael Brouwer with a wobbly shot from distance and less than a minute later, Ilias Alhaft, who was also a substitute, scored in the corner with a shot to make it 2-2.

Anthony Limbombe assisted both times and the former Belgian super talent then also made it possible for Joey Jacobs to make it 3-2.

Eindhoven does not benefit

Number four FC Eindhoven could have benefited but gave away their 1-0 lead against compatriot Jong PSV in the closing stages. Johan Bakayoko and Fodé Fofana turned the game around with two beautiful goals, after which Canada’s Charles-Andreas Brym gave Eindhoven a point with his second of the night.

ADO Den Haag and NAC Breda are further down the rankings. Dirk Kuijt had a dramatic start at ADO Den Haag but lost just one of their last seven games.

However, things went wrong early on against up-and-coming Helmond Sport, who fired PSV coach Sven Swinnen after losing 6-0 in the derby against Jong PSV. The Norwegian Hakon Lorentzen made the number 19 of the first division team 1-0 after four minutes.

After the break, right-back Denzell Hall leveled ADO with a punt and when ADO goalkeeper Hugo Wentgens saved a self-inflicted penalty from his goal, the penny seemed to drop in Kuijt’s side.

Nothing proved less true as Martijn Kaars made up for his missed penalty to give the Helmonders a 2-1 win.

NAC Breda went under at FC Den Bosch, previously number 18 in the first division. NAC’s final offensive came too late to repair the damage previously taken (3-0): 3-2.