Ajax has moved seven points clear at the top of the Eredivisie with a 3-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar.
- Follow Football-Oranje on Twitter
With PSV Eindhoven and Vitesse Arnhem both dropping points, Ajax had a big chance to move clear at the top. Erik ten Hag was without Nicolas Tagliafico as Lisandro Martinez came into the eleven, while Devyne Rensch started at right-back.
Ajax made a dominant start in the AFAS Stadion and it resulted in the lead after 14 minutes with Antony finding the net. The Brazilian side-footed the ball into the bottom corner.
Ajax remained comfortable but in the 30th minute, AZ finally got a big chance with Jasper Karlsson finding Albert Gudmundsson at the back post. However, the forward’s header was kept out by Andre Onana and Gudmundsson couldn’t control the rebound.
At the other end, Marco Bizot had to keep out Dusan Tadic’s strike from close range. Just before the break, AZ got another huge chance but again Onana was there to deny Gudmundsson’s close range header.
Gudmundsson also got AZ’s first two big chances of the second half, but he fired over from the edge of the box before he also put a header over the bar.
Ajax punished AZ for their misses on the hour mark as Davy Klaassen found the net with a well-controlled volley from Dusan Tadic’s excellent cross.
David Neres replaced Antony and he thought he had added a third for Ajax in the 78th minute with a diving header after Bizot had made two saves, but VAR ruled it out for offside in the build-up.
Moments later, Myron Boadu raced through on goal but with only Onana to beat the striker could only fire into the side netting. That miss summed up AZ Alkmaar’s performance and Ajax then added a third before the end with Neres slotting in after a swift move.
Ajax now firmly have the Eredivisie title in their hands as they move seven points clear. AZ sits fifth.
Follow
Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter
