Arkaduisz Milik netted twice to give Ajax a 2-0 win over Heerenveen which puts the Amsterdam club on the brink of lifting the Eredivisie title.

milik heeSunday’s shock draw with Utrecht and PSV’s win over Vitesse on Tuesday put Ajax under immense pressure going into the tie with Heerenveen.

Frank de Boer returned to a 4-3-3 formation and restored Thulani Serero to the starting line-up in place of the struggling Riechedly Bazoer, but Ajax struggled to make the breakthrough in the first half. It was Heerenveen who came closest to the opening goal as Mitchel Te Vrede’s header had to be clawed away from goal by Jasper Cillessen. At the other end, Davy Klaassen shot straight at Erwin Mulder, while Arkaduisz Milik slid a good chance wide.

Like on Sunday, it was a controversial penalty which helped Ajax on their way, with Kenny Otigba punished for a handball on a Mitchell Dijks cross on 57 minutes. Milik stepped up and fired past Erwin Mulder and the Pole then settled the tie for Ajax before the end as the striker tapped in an excellent cross from Dijks.

The victory keeps Ajax in charge of the title race as their superior goal difference maintains their lead over PSV. The Amsterdam side now only need to beat Twente on Sunday and De Graafschap the week after and the title should be theirs.




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