Klaas Jan Huntelaar netted a late double as Ajax defeated FC Twente 3-1 to move three points clear at the top of the Eredivisie.
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In the hours running up to the game, Klaas Jan Huntelaar was linked with a return to Schalke. He was named on the bench as Ajax started with Sebastien Haller up front for the first time.
Within six minutes, Haller had already nodded Ajax in front from an Antony cross.
FC Twente had gone close before the opener through Vaclav Cerny, who then had to go off injured. Jayden Oosterwolde also went close for the hosts but fired just wide. At the other end, Quincy Promes wasted a great chance after a wonderful through ball by Daley Blind.
Just before the break, Danilo got a great chance against his parent club but he could only fire straight at Andre Onana.
Minutes into the second-half, Twente thought they had equalised but VAR ruled out Queensy Menig’s goal for a narrow offside.
Haller and Promes missed big chances and eventually, Twente made them pay five minutes before the end. A corner wasn’t cleared by Ryan Gravenberch on the line and Julio Pleguezuelo.
Erik ten Hag then turned to Huntelaar with three minutes to go, and the veteran striker proved to be the hero for his side. Within a minute, Huntelaar had hooked a Haller header into the net. Then in injury time, Huntelaar got his second with a close range finish.
Ajax now go three points clear at the top ahead of their clash with Feyenoord on Sunday. Twente are 7th.
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