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James Marshall is already fast becoming a fans' favourite at hsi new club, after leading FC Groningen to an opening day victory at RKC.
Groningen, who dominated from the start, will be very happy to ahve got 3 points from a game where they may have expected to get none. The first half looked liked it would finish a draw. A boring, tepid affair, in which both clubs were struggled to string together many passes, or create anything of note.
Then the breakthrough. 2 minutes after the interval, and debutant Glenn Salmon struck. A long corner from Hristov volleyed in emphatically at the far post by the South African.
Following that, Groningen had a few chances, but didn't come close to another goal. Their best chance coming in stoppage time, when Kurt Elshot put Avid Smit in over the top, but the on loan man from PSV scuffed a cross towards the unmarked Santos.
RKC 0-1 FC Groningen (Salmon 47)
MOM: Salmon
A fantastic start to the season, but there is bad news. Alexis Nicolas will be out for three weeks after collecting a knee injuty.
FC Groningen vs. ADO Den Haag
Euroborg
Odds: FCG 4-5, Draw 2-1, ADO 3-1
Team News: Nicolas and Tuhuteru out. Smit starts on the wing, with Krstev moving into the middle.
Groningen Forced to Grind
Groniger Dagblad
In their first home game of the season, Groningen fell short of expectations left following the season's opener. A dull 0-0 draw with Den Haag which saw few chances - most to the visitors.
Roy Stroeve will feel hard done by when, after 61 minutes, he swivelled past Vrede and sent in a crashing shot - only to see it rattle the crossbar. ADO also forced good saves from Beukenkamp off a fierce freekick, and a corner.
The home side were average at best, with one moment of genius poorly missed by Hristov. A beautiful passing move down the left flank between he and Floren resulted in a skied shot well over from the Bulgarian, who will be disappointed he didn't score his first goal for the club.
Overall, though, another clean sheet. And with Feyenoord up at the weekend - Groningen will be happy for 4 points, and 2 clean sheets, from their opening two fixtures.
Feyenoord vs. FC Groningen
De Kuip
Odds: Feyenoord 4-7, Draw 5-2, FCG 4-1
Team News: More injuries Rumen Hristov is out for about a week with a neck injury, which means De Witte will be drafted in!
Groningen Proove Too Tough at the Back
Groniger Dagblad
Groningen will be going home to what could be a heroes welcome after a brilliant draw at De Kuip.
Groningen are quickly becoming a team with one of the best defenses in the Eredivisie - as they didn't even allow the league leaders and highest scorers a shot on goal. The stoic defense is quickly becoming a tradmeark of their style - but with points away to one of the "Big Three" won, no one will complain.
In fact, it is perhaps most ironic that the best chance fell to the visitors, as Glenn Salmon created half a yard - only to see his shot saved onto the underside of the crossbar.
It was one of the few times they attacked, in what was a game they clearly came to not concede in.
They didn't, and after 3 games sit in a healthy 10th spot.
Feyenoord 0-0 FC Groningen
MOM: Beukenkamp
Line-up (4-4-2): Beukenkamp; Elshot, Florén, Vrede (c), Zoricich (Kruiswijk 62); Smit (Pinas 62), De Witte, Krstev, Hugo; Montes, Salmon
FC Groningen vs. FC Twente
Euroborg
Odds: FCG 5-4, Draw 11-5, FCT 7-4
Team News: Elshot suspended, Fallinga, Nicolas, and Hristov injured. Tuhuteru starts.
Twente Lose 4th in a Row as Groningen Dominate
Groniger Dagblad
The scoreline gives the game no justice. 1-0, again. Clean Sheet, again. But Groningen could have scored 3 or 4 quite easily against a very poor Twente side.
It did, however, take half an hour for the home team to break down the Twente defense, as a corner was twice headed at goal by Glenn Salmon - both times terrifically saved by the outstanding ten Rouwelaar.
Just minutes later, though, a long ball from the back was headed into the path of Fali Montes by the big South African - and Montes couldn't miss. A rifling right footed volley in at the near post - a fantastic way to open his account for the club.
After the interval, Twente again stood firm, until Groningen started playing. Arnold Kruiswijk - playing at right back - laying it off for Krstev, who's left footed curling drive missed the post by inches.
Minutes later - and a De Witte freekick from the side of the area was headed towards goal by the revelling Hugo - only to see it come back off the post.
Then, with ten minutes left, came the best chance of the match. A corner well drifted in by Tuhuteru saw the whistle blow. Penalty for pushing. Up stepped Glenn Salmon, who's spot kick went dreadfully over the bar.
Overall, however, a solid performance and another good result, which sees Groningen well into the top half.
FC Groningen 1-0 FC Twente (Montes 34. Salmon missed pen 80)
Line-up (4-4-2): Beukenkamp; Kruiswijk, Florén, Vrede (c), Zoricich; De Witte, Tuhuteru, Krstev, Hugo; Montes, Salmon
Subs: Santos, Lambers, van Gessel, Landerl, Drent, Smit, Matthijs
FC Utrecht vs. FC Groningen
Nieuw Galgenwaard
Odds: FCU 5-4, Draw 11-5, FCG 7-4
Team News: Hristov injured. Nicolas and Elshot return
Groningen Outclassed by Leaders
Perhaps slightly unlucky, but FC Groningen today learned how tough it is at the top. Fighting against a team with the best record in the league, Groningen fought a good battle - before falling undone to some great football.
The first goal conceded by Groningen this season was a stunner from Tanghe. The winger fighting his way into the area, before blasting one over and past the helpless Beukenkamp.
Groningen's reply was stellar. Substitute Santos scoring his first for the club, after Hugo played in Fali Montes. Montes returned the pass, and Hugo found a wide open Santos - who finished well.
But the joy lasted for less then 30 seconds. As Utrecht counter attacked from the kickoff - with a good cross finidng the head of Calabro. Utrecht took advantage of poor marking for the third - as a corner was flicked in at the back post.
The visitors didn't give up, and both Santos and Hugo could have scored from tough chances, but overall deserved to lose. For the first time, their defence was unorganised and shabby - the manager has to make sure that's the last.
FC Utrecht 3-1 FC Groningen (Tanghe 62, Calabro 67, van der Bergh 72; Santos 66)
Line-up (4-4-2): Beukenkamp; Elshot, Florén, Vrede (c), Zoricich; Krstev, De Witte, Nicolas (Smit HT), Hugo; Montes, Salmon (Santos 64)
Subs: Santos, Lambers, Kruiswijk, Landerl, Drent, Smit, De Witte
More injuries 
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