Impeccable FC Twente surge to vital third spot after emphatic victory against Sparta

FC Twente occupied the third position in the intense three-way battle for UEFA Champions League qualification, sitting one point adrift of NEC and matching Ajax on goal difference.

FC Twente could have easily taken the lead before the break, as Daan Rots and Thomas van den Belt, the latter with an acrobatic overhead kick, both struck the woodwork during a commanding opening period.

As NEC suffered a defeat and Ajax managed only a draw one hour into Sundays nine-match programme, Thomas van den Belt effectively secured third place for FC Twente by slotting home Sam Lammerss low delivery.

Van den Belt soon doubled the delight for the supporters, capitalising on Spartas defensive blunder and blasting past Joël Drommel to establish a vital two-goal advantage.

Kristian Hlynsson sealed the outcome with 20 minutes remaining, nodding in the third goal for a 3-0 lead.

Daan Rots twisted the knife further for Sparta, rifling into the top corner of Drommels net in the 78th minute.

Thanks to Ajaxs 96th-minute loss to FC Utrecht and FC Groningens triumph over NEC Nijmegen, FC Twente overtook both rivals to claim top spot in the third-place fight. They now hold a two-point edge over NEC and a three-point margin ahead of Ajax heading into the seasons final day and their trip to title holders PSV.