PSV Eindhoven have all but ended Ajax’s title hopes after a 1-0 win in the Philips Stadion.

Feyenoord’s win at Vitesse earlier on Sunday put the pressure on Ajax to record victory in Eindhoven but Peter Bosz only made one change to the side that reached the Europa League semi-finals in midweek, Kasper Dolberg starting in place of Justin Kluivert. For PSV, their reign as champions was ended by Feyenoord but they had pride and the possibility of 2nd place to play for.

It was PSV who began the game brighter with Jurgen Locadia sending two efforts wide while Bart Ramselaar had a shot blocked. With Locadia once again starting in place of Luuk de Jong, PSV’s attack was fluid and on 25 minutes Matthijs de Ligt brought down Steven Bergwijn just outside the area. Locadia took the free-kick and rifled it into the net past Onana to give the hosts the lead.

At the other end, Ajax had two good chances to net free-kicks of their own, but Hakim Ziyech sent the first one into the wall before seeing his second easily kept out by Jeroen Zoet.

Ajax lost Bertrand Traore to injury for the break with Justin Kluivert coming on. At the break, Amin Younes was also withdrawn for David Neres. With the pace injected on the wings, Ajax started the second half looking far more dangerous going forward. Neres should have equalised when he beat a stranded Zoet to the ball, but with the goal gaping the winger could only fire wide.

On 68 minutes, De Ligt almost gifted PSV a second but Bergwijn couldn’t stab his poor backpass into the net past Onana who raced out his goal quickly to clear.

The last twenty minutes were open with both sides pushing for another goal but neither Zoet or Onana really had a save to make. Locadia prodded over while late in stoppage time Joshua Brenet somehow didn’t score when through on goal.

Ajax’s defeat moves Feyenoord four points clear with two games left. PSV move to within three points of Ajax in second.




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