Feyenoord hosted Groningen this week at De Kuip, after a 4-0 victory over Go Ahead Eagles last week. Feyenoord were yet to win at home before today, but a poor Groningen performance allowed them to take all 3 points from today’s game. Fred Rutten gave starts to summer signings Jens Toornstra and Karim El-Ahmadi after his return to Feyenoord from Aston Villa. The visitors started with a 4-3-3 formation, utilising van der Velden, Hoesen and Antonia as their front 3. Hoesen is yet to score for Groningen since signing from Ajax in the summer, although on loan striker Kazim-Richards held a record of 2 goals in 3 games for Feyenoord before the game.
Without a doubt, Feyenoord were the stronger side from the off, but the game remained rather scrappy for the opening 15 minutes due to Groningen’s high pressing. The first chance of the game should’ve fallen to El Ahmadi, although the referee called for handball as the midfielder controlled the ball. However, after a second look, the ball seemed to only glance the chest of the Moroccan international. The first booking of the game was awarded to Johan Kappelhof after a late challenge on Elvis Manu in the 13th minute. In the opening 20 minutes, few chances were created by either team but Feyenoord contained the ball for large periods of time, totting up 73% possession. It wasn’t long before Feyenoord split the Groningen defence and after a decent save from Padt, the ball fell kindly to Jordy Clasie who lacked composure and couldn’t strike the ball into the vacated Groningen goal. Despite this shocking miss, Feyenoord kicked on and opened the scoring in the 24th minute through Kazim-Richards. The neat build-up play, twinned with intricate passing and a delightful finish, resulted in pleasant viewing for the home fans. Feyenoord continued to pile on the pressure and Immers’ half volley in the 33rd minute flashed by the post. At the first half’s climax, the home side will have felt disappointed to only be leading by a single goal due to completely dominating the opposition.
In the first minute of the second half, Groningen defender Eric Botteghin seemed to kick Kenneth Vermeer in the face, making him lucky to escape with only a booking. The ball fell to Kazim-Richards in the 51st minute just outside the six-yard-box, but his sweetly struck volley was brilliantly saved by the Groningen keeper. Groningen’s brighter start to the second half was destroyed after seeing Kappelhof dismissed in the 56th minute. He was booked once again for another late challenge on Elvis Manu, and Tom van Sichem had no other option but produce the red card. Only a minute later, Immers doubled his side’s lead after El Ahmadi found him with a perfect delivery. The midfielder nodded the ball to the far post for his first goal of the season. In the 69th minute, Elvis Manu’s inspired run only lacked the finish, but it capped off his impressive performance this afternoon. Te Vrede headed towards goal after Wilkshire found him in the box, but the effort was once again well saved by Padt. Despite this, the ball dropped kindly for substitute Jean-Paul Boetius who prodded the ball home with his head. 6 minutes later, Immers crossed to te Vrede who nodded his costless header at the near post to conclude the scoring, and gain all three points for Feyenoord.
Feyenoord produced a spectacular performance today, and utterly outplayed their opponents. After a tough start to the season, these back to back 4-0 victories alert leaders PSV to look out for this new look Feyenoord side.