Ajax have climbed to the top of the Eredivisie after a clinical 2-0 win over an out of sorts PSV Eindhoven in the Philips Stadion.
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One point separated the two sides going into what Ajax boss Frank de Boer called a “must not lose game” and after a minute his side made the perfect start as Arkaduisz Milik headed in Joel Veltman’s perfect cross.
The early goal allowed Ajax to sit back and they invited pressure from PSV, who dominated possession as they looked for an equaliser. Luuk de Jong stung Jasper Cillessen’s palms with a fierce strike before Jurgen Locadia sent the rebound wide. Andres Guardado was then denied what seemed a stonewall penalty after a trip by Riechedly Bazoer, while Hector Moreno sent a fantastic opportunity over after being found by De Jong.
Ajax barely threatened after their goal but with the last kick of the first half Milik should have made it 2-0, but with the goal gaping, the striker blasted the ball wide.
The second half continued like the first with PSV seeing a lot of the ball, but unable to truly test Cillessen, with Jetro Willems curling a free kick over and De Jong blasting over on the rebound after Locadia’s shot was saved.
Ajax created chances on the counter attack and ten minutes before the end substitute Anwar El Ghazi settled the tie with a low strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. PSV’s attack ran out of steam as the game went on as they felt the effects of the defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League midweek and Ajax saw out victory comfortably.
For the second year in a row Ajax have beaten PSV in their own stadium, and they go two points clear of their rivals at the top of the table with six games to go.
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