Ajax closed the gap on Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven to five points with a 1-0 win at PEC Zwolle on Sunday.
Klaas Jan Huntelaar scored the only goal of the game in the 54th minute as second-placed Ajax took advantage of PSV dropping two points in a 2-2 draw with Heerenveen the day before.
Fourth-placed Feyenoord were 1-0 winners at home to Heracles Almelo thanks to Robin van Persie's 59th-minute strike.
FC Utrecht moved up to fifth with a 4-1 win at struggling Roda JC.
Sander van de Streek opened the scoring after 13 minutes and his second after 63 made it 3-0, adding to Mark van der Maarel's goal.
Jorn Vancamp pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute, but Zakaria Labyad netted again for Utrecht at the death.
Basement boys Sparta Rotterdam moved to within two points of Roda and third-bottom opponents FC Twente, but missed the chance to claim a much-needed victory.
Fred Friday put visitors Sparta ahead after 62 minutes and they held out until the 85th when Haris Vuckic struck to earn Twente a point.