A great strike from Quincy Promes helped Ajax secure a slender 2-1 victory over RKC Waalwijk.
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RKC went into the clash with the league leaders sitting rock bottom and without a win all season. It seemed a comfortable Ajax victory was inevitable.
However, the home side had the best chance of a goalless first half when Clint Leemans free-kick smashed the bar and rebounded to safety. At the other end, Quincy Promes went close with a header, while RKC goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen denied Donny van de Beek.
RKC earned a standing ovation for their first half display, but a minute into the second half they fell behind. A Sergino Dest cross was met by Dusan Tadic at the back post and the winger side-footed the ball into the net.
Promes and Klaas Jan Huntelaar missed great chances to make it 2-0 and RKC then stunned Ajax by netting the equaliser. Said Bakari poked the ball past Andre Onana after being played in on goal.
Joel Veltman went close to restoring the visitors lead with a header that hit the bar. In the 76th minute, Promes did make it 2-1 for Ajax with a fierce strike from outside the box that ended in the net via the underside of the bar.
RKC came close to an equaliser before the end but Ajax held on to seal a win which keeps them top of the table ahead of their Champions League clash with Chelsea next week.