Excelsior secured a convincing 3-0 away victory against Willem II in the Eredivisie. Manager Ruben den Uil's team now sits firmly in fourth place in the league table with 10 points after this fifth matchday win.
How did the match against Willem II unfold?
According to ESPN.nl, Excelsior opened the scoring in the eighth minute. Irakli Yegoian delivered a cross from the left which David Garden turned in. Willem II had a chance to equalize, but Devin Haen hit the crossbar. Goal.com reported that Excelsior doubled their lead in the 34th minute through a Rick Meissen header from a corner. The Tilburg side offered little resistance before halftime. In the second half, Willem II brought on debutant Tonny Vilhena, but it did little to change the match. Excelsior remained dangerous and put the game to bed in the 85th minute. Following a long goal kick from keeper Stijn van Gassel and good build-up play, Yegoian fired home for 0-3. BBC statistics show Excelsior were more effective with six shots on target compared to the home side's two.
Who were Excelsior's key performers?
Irakli Yegoian was the standout player of the evening according to Goal.com. The midfielder provided an assist for the first goal and scored the third himself. With two goals and three assists in four matches, he is a key creative force. David Garden also proved his worth with his second league goal of the season. Goalkeeper Stijn van Gassel played a key part in the third goal with his long kick. The defense, led by Simon Janssen who also has three assists this season, kept a clean sheet well. The full Excelsior squad shows how these players combine.
What is the current league situation?
Excelsior is fourth in the Eredivisie after five match rounds. The team has collected 10 points from three wins, one draw, and one loss. Their recent form reads DWWLW. The Rotterdam side has scored twelve times and conceded only five goals, resulting in a +7 goal difference. Leaders AZ Alkmaar hold a five-point advantage. Excelsior must maintain this positive run to stay in the upper regions of the table. The current standings provide a clear view of the battle for European football. The next fixture is a home match against FC Utrecht, who are currently 15th, on September 13, 2026.
What are the attackers' statistics?
Excelsior's forward line has been productive this season. Artem Stepanov is the top scorer with three goals, followed by David Garden and Noah Naujoks with two each. Irakli Yegoian leads the assist chart with three, shared with defender Simon Janssen. These numbers highlight the shared responsibility for goal creation. The team is not reliant on a single player. For detailed individual stats, you can consult the club page. The coming weeks will show if this output can be sustained. Excelsior plays its next Eredivisie match at home against FC Utrecht on September 13.
