Ajax reclaimed the top spot in the Eredivisie for the first time in over two years after a hard-fought 2-0 win against Fortuna Sittard on a challenging, slippery pitch. The victory came as defending champions PSV Eindhoven stumbled yet again, dropping points for the fourth time in their last five league matches.
The breakthrough for Ajax came in the 68th minute when Fortuna Sittard’s Shawn Adewoye was penalized for a handball in the penalty area. Steven Berghuis’s initial spot-kick was saved by goalkeeper Luuk Koopmans, but the rebound fell kindly for Wout Weghorst, who tapped in from close range. Christian Rasmussen sealed the win in stoppage time with a composed finish, ensuring Ajax moved to the summit of the league table, having played one game fewer than PSV.
Ajax’s rise to the top marks a significant milestone for the club, which has seen five different coaches since Alfred Schreuder last led them to the Eredivisie summit in November 2022. Current manager Francesco Farioli remained grounded despite the achievement, stating, “We don’t have time to dream. We only have energy to work and live from game to game.”
Meanwhile, PSV’s struggles continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Willem II. Noa Lang had given PSV the lead with a close-range volley in the 61st minute, but Mickaël Tirpan’s powerful strike in the 83rd minute leveled the score. Guus Til missed a late chance to snatch a winner, leaving PSV coach Peter Bosz frustrated. “We want to be champions, so we can’t accept a draw at home against Willem II,” he admitted.
Elsewhere, Feyenoord reignited their campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over Sparta Rotterdam in the Rotterdam derby. Quinten Timber opened the scoring from the penalty spot after a handball incident, with Anis Hadj-Moussa and Igor Paixão adding late goals to secure Feyenoord’s first league win in nearly two months. The result moved Feyenoord within three points of third-placed FC Utrecht, who suffered a 1-0 defeat to Almere City.
Almere’s victory, courtesy of a goal by Junior Kadile, extended Utrecht’s winless streak since Christmas. At the bottom of the table, RKC Waalwijk continued their resurgence with a 5-0 thrashing of NAC Breda, inspired by a brace from Oscar Zadawa and a rejuvenated Mo Ihattaren.
Heracles and Groningen also secured crucial wins to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Heracles triumphed 4-2 over Go Ahead Eagles, while Groningen edged NEC Nijmegen 2-0, thanks to an early goal from Wouter Prins and a solid performance from goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen.
In other matches, AZ Alkmaar maintained their fourth-place position with a 2-0 win against PEC Zwolle, with Troy Parrott netting his 12th league goal of the season. Heerenveen’s 17-year-old Eser Gürbüz continued to impress, scoring a 93rd-minute equalizer against 10-man Twente for the second consecutive weekend.
As the Eredivisie season heats up, Ajax’s return to the top has set the stage for a thrilling title race, while the battle for European spots and survival intensifies across the league.
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