Ajax are now only one point behind leaders PSV Eindhoven after a 3-1 win over Go Ahead Eagles at the Amsterdam Arena.
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After the defeat to Barcelona in midweek, coach Frank de Boer made a number of changes to the starting eleven, with Arkaduisz Milik replacing Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, and Anwar El Ghazi coming in for Ricardo Kishna the big changes.
The changes seemed to pay off with Ajax starting the match impressively, with the movement of El Ghazi and Milik up front causing Go Ahead Eagle’s defence problems. Davy Klaassen should have opened the scoring early on but after a great passing move the midfielder hit fresh air instead of the ball with the goal gaping.
On 10 minutes the deadlock was broken as Milik’s shot from outside the area struck the post, and El Ghazi was on hand to tap in the rebound. Milik then came close to doubling the lead, but his shot was was tipped round the post by Erik Cummins.
Go Ahead Eagles hit the crossbar through Deniz Turuc before equalising just before the half hour mark as an excellent through ball from Sander Duits set Fernando Lewis in on goal, and the forward finished well past Jasper Cillessen.
The visitors could have been ahead at the break but Jeffrey Rijsdijk, who has scored two in his last two games, could only fire wide on the edge of the box.
Ten minutes into the second half Ajax were back in front with Milik flicking Ricardo van Rhijn’s cross into the net at the near post. With 15 minutes to go Lasse Schone sealed the win for Ajax with a fierce finish into the bottom corner after being picked out by Davy Klaassen.
The win moves Ajax just behind PSV, who visit Utrecht on Sunday, while Go Ahead Eagles sit 13th.