HEERENVEEN - Michael Bradley's hat-trick helped fourth-placed Heerenveen remain on the heels of Holland's big three clubs with a win at the expense of FC Groningen.
All six goals came in the first 41 minutes as a Goran Lovre own goal and Bradley's first gave Heerenveen a 2-0 lead inside seven minutes only for two Erik Nevland goals to level matters.
Bradley then struck two more goals to complete his treble and see Heerenveen move within five points of leaders Ajax.
Champions PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord are respectively four and three points better off than Gertjan Verbeek's side.
Afonso Alves, the reigning Eredivisie top scorer, has carried much of the burden of goalscoring for Heerenveen but the hosts still found the net with ease despite the suspension of the Brazil international.
They got a lucky break when Lovre's attempted defensive header from a Jacob Poulsen cross beat his team-mate Brian van Loo.
Bradley then made it 2-0 when Van Loo could only parry a Danijel Pranjic shot into his path.
Nevland quickly reduced arrears when he headed home a Bruno Silva cross and after 14 minutes the Norwegian made it 2-2 when he raced onto a long kick from Van Loo and scored from inside the area.
Bradley made it 3-2 after 23 minutes when he connected with a Pranjic cross and he completed his treble four minutes before the break after Van Loo could only parry a Poulsen shot.
The second half was goalless but Lovre almost scored at the right end when he hit the bar after a cross from the right by Koen van der Laak.
Pranjic almost set up another goal for Heerenveen but Van Loo did well to save Gianni Zuiverloon's header from Pranjic's cross.
Groningen went close through Arnold Kruiswijk, who was just wide, and then Lovre who was foiled by goalkeeper Brian Vandenbussche.
Heerenveen substitute Henrico Drost also went close but Van Loo made another save.
