Ajax came from behind to defeat Sparta Rotterdam 5-2 and maintain their slim hopes of lifting the Eredivisie trophy. 

From the start, Ajax dominated possession with Justin Kluivert particularly dangerous but it was Sparta who created the best chances through Michiel Kramer and Robert Muhren. On 12 minutes, Muhren was denied by Andre Onana before Thomas Verhaar had a goal disallowed for offside.

After half an hour the opening goal did come for Sparta with a corner finding Kramer at the back post and the former Feyenoord striker nodded into the net. The lead didn’t last long with Ajax responding immediately through Klaas-Jan Huntelaar who prodded a David Neres cross into the net from close range.

Before the break, Ajax thought they had the lead when Max Wober tapped in after Huntelaar had a header saved, but the linesman wrongly flagged for offside.

Ajax started the second half strongly and after Justin Kluiver and Hakim Ziyech both went close, Lasse Schone made it 2-1 in the 53rd minute with a free-kick. Six minutes later, Donny van de Beek dribbled into the box before setting up Kluivert to make it 3-1.

Ziyech then stole the show for the visitors, making it 4-1 with a fine finish into the corner before adding the fifth with a free-kick. Ryan Sanusi pulled one back for Sparta late on with a long-range strike but it was just a consolation.

Ajax move back to within seven points of PSV at the top while Sparta sit 16th.




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