Round 20 of the Eredivisie season consisted of just 8 games following the late postponement of the FC Groningen and FC Twente fixture due to a frozen pitch at the Euroborg Stadion.
- By Leo Walker
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It has been a good round for the Champions, Ajax, as they recorded a crucial 1-0 victory over Go Ahead Eagles in Deventer to go two points clear at the top as results fell favourably their way. Go Ahead Eagles rarely threatened the Ajax goal though they remained resilient in defence and proved frustrating for Frank de Boers side to breakdown.That was however, until the 74th minute when a bit of luck would ensure Ajax are now clear favourites for their fourth title in a row. A poor free kick by Lasse Schone saw the ball hit wall, however as it rebounded straight to Lasse, a fierce shot was unleashed which went through the defenders and into the net. The keeper saw it late and stood no chance. A two point lead at the top, the reward for that vital goal.
Prior to the Ajax game, Vitesse were held to a 1-1 draw in the De Gelderse Derby at the Gelredome, a result which has dented their maiden title bid. In an entertaining derby fixture, it was Vitesse who struck first on the half hour mark, and as the hosts could not get the all important two goal lead, they were made to pay when Michael Higdon scored for NEC Nijmegen. In the end both sides had the opportunity to take all three points in what was a thrilling encounter. Vitesse retain second spot, albeit two points off the top, whilst NEC, despite their heroics, return to the foot of the table.
If Vitesse suffered a dent, then Feyenoord suffered a severe blow to their title hopes as a shock 3-2 defeat at ADO Den Haag has seen them fall seven points off the top. A midweek defeat to Ajax appeared to had taken its toll on the Rotterdam side as they fell 2-0 behind, with the second goal scored right on half time. Feyenoord responded through a fantastic strike by Jordy Clasie and a typical 6 yard finish by Graziano Pellè. However the joy of equalising and giving them the chance of gaining all three points was short lived as ADO Den Haag restored their one goal lead just three minutes later through Roland Alberg. Feyenoord put emmense pressure on the hosts in the last ten minutes but to no avail. ADO Den Haag remain in the bottom three but the win lifted them off the bottom.
A victory in round 20 for SC Cambuur has seen them record back to back successes and given them a great chance of remaining in the Eredivisie. After their 2-0 defeat of the Go Ahead Eagles last week, they inflicted a 3-1 defeat on their fierce local rivals, sc Heerenveen, in the Frisian Derby that was played on Sunday . After just four minutes, SC Cambuur led through youngster Elvis Manu, who is on loan from Feyenoord, and following that opener, the result was never in doubt. It was a famous 3-1 victory over their rivals, the first since 1994.
The round initially got underway on Friday evening when Heracles Almelo defeated RKC Waalwijk 2-1 at the Polman Stadion to end their visitors six game, impressive, unbeaten run. The first victory of 2014 and their 7th of the season for Heracles has seen them rise to 10th, whilst RKC Waalwijk find themselves back in the bottom three.
Jan Wouters rollercoaster of a season with FC Utrecht continues following their fourth Eredivisie loss in a row which has seen them return to the bottom half of the table they currently reside in 11th on 24 pts. The defeat in round 20 was suffered at the hands of Roda JC as Jon Dahl Tomasson recorded his first Eredivisie win since taking over in charge during the winter break as they held onto a 1-0 victory. Although they suffered a midweek cup defeat to AZ Alkmaar, the Great Dane, and the loyal Roda fans, will be encouraged by his start as coach with four points obtained from two matches which has seen them lift to 15th in the league.
PEC Zwolle, heading into the round, were without a win in 9 Eredivisie games, however they ended that drought with a 2-1 victory away in Breda on Saturday evening. The Dutch Cup semi finalists found themselves 1-0 down after 19 mins before a second half comeback ensured they would return to the top half, albeit only by goal difference. The former league leaders will now be looking to restart their season and push for the European play offs. Also looking to restart their season to salvage a high position is PSV who narrowly beat AZ Alkmaar at the Phillips Stadion to conclude Saturdays action. In a tight affair, PSV would come out eventual winners by one goal to ensure Dick Advocaat had an unsuccessful return to the home of PSV. The only goal of the game was scored within the first three minutes by defender Jetro Willems scoring his third goal of the season, and it was enough to ensure PSV would take all three points, and as a result, move up the 6th.
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