NAC Breda 1 - 5 Heerenveen

NAC Breda 1-5 Heerenveen

Updated: December 15, 2007, 9:45 PM UK

BREDA, December 15 (Eredivisie) - Heerenveen were without their top scorer Alfonso Alves, but it didn't matter as they stormed to victory at NAC Breda - a result which sent them into third spot in the Eredivisie.

Gerald Sibon gave the visitors a half-time lead before the floodgates opened after the break and Miralem Sulejmani, Sibon again and a brace from Brazilian teenager Paulo Henrique gave them an unassailable lead.

Gert-Jan Tamerus scored a late consolation for NAC who fell to only their second defeat since August.

In a tight first half Heerenveen had the best of the opening chances with Sulejmani blasting Jakob Poulsen's cross over the bar from 10 yards out in the 20th minute.

And it was the visitors who took the lead four minutes later as Sibon headed in Poulsen's free kick from close range.

NAC almost equalised on the stroke of half-time as Matthew Amoah broke through the defence but his fierce 15-yard shot was well saved.

Five minutes after the break Sulejmani doubled Heerenveen's advantage, breaking clear and finding himself one on one with keeper Jelle ten Rouwelaar, before slotting the ball into the back of the net from 15 yards.

And just five minutes later NAC found themselves in deeper trouble as Sibon grabbed his second of the game thanks to a curling 30-yard free kick.

Henrique ensured he recorded a goalscoring debut when he headed home Danijel Pranjic's cross in the 68th minute.

And the 18-year-old must have thought all his Christmases had come at once when he grabbed his second just five minutes later, collecting Pranjic's through-ball before firing a 10-yard screamer into the back of the net.

In the 75th minute Tamerus notched a consolation for NAC with a low and powerful 25-yard free kick, but it was a case of too little too late.