Despite the victory, Utrecht remain in seventh place with 37 points, as many as Sparta. The Rotterdammers have a better goal difference.
Utrecht made the difference in the knockout stages, after Sparta captain Adil Auassar was shown a red card for striking immediately after the break. Victor Jensen opened the scoring in the 76th minute, after which Othmane Boussaid doubled the lead two minutes from time. Anthony Descotte fired it 3-0 a minute later.