Erik Falkenburg scored a goal in each half as Sparta Rotterdam completed a routine Eredivisie win at home to NEC Nijmegen.

Midfielder Falkenburg struck just before half-time and then just before the hour for a victory which keeps Sparta in ninth place, comfortably above Willem II and level on points with eighth-placed NAC Breda.

NEC began with promise when Bjorn Vleminckx tested Aleksander Boakye with a right-foot shot from 25 yards - comfortably collected by the home goalkeeper.

Sparta forward Rydell Poepon went close in the 23rd minute with a right-foot effort which flew just wide, from inside the penalty area.

NEC might have done better when Youssef El Akchaoui's free-kick was beautifully delivered into the danger area, but both Vleminckx and Saidi Ntibazonkiza mistimed their jumps - and the opportunity was missed.

The visitors were made to pay in the 43rd minute when goalkeeper Gabor Babos flapped at Kevin Strootman's free-kick - and Falkenburg took advantage with an unerring right-footed finish.

Five minutes into the second half, NEC full-back Ramon Zomer did well to block a close-range shot from Darko Bodul - and clear for a corner.

But in the 61st minute, there was no escape when Zomer again tried to save the day but succeeded only in deflecting Falkenburg's shot - which duly found the bottom corner for 2-0.

NEC had a chance to reduce the arrears 10 minutes from time but John Goosens' shot went just wide - and his club remain within a point of second-bottom pair FC Groningen and Roda JC.