Comfortable victories for Feyenoord and Ajax
Feyenoord 4-0 PEC Zwolle
On Sunday last-placed PEC Zwolle came to Rotterdam. Zwolle hadn’t scored a goal in their previous 10 visits to De Kuip. Surprisingly, they took the initiative in the first 5 minutes. Their joy was short-lived though as Feyenoord immediately showed there is much to improve defensively for Zwolle. Linssen opened the scoring after a counter-attack and within 10 minutes Sinisterra doubled the Feyenoord lead. After half-an-hour Linseen scored a third goal after a neat assist from Sinisterra. Just five minutes later, Guus Til scored his eighth goal of the season to put the game to bed. Feyenoord were clearly much better than PEC Zwolle and simply managed the game in the second half. In the final minute, Dessers was given another chance to score a goal in additional time, but Lamprou denied his effort. PEC Zwolle remain rooted to the bottom of the league after this 4-0 loss in Rotterdam.
Waalwijk 0-5 Ajax
Ajax also played against a team fighting to stay in the Eredivisie: 15th-placed RKC Waalwijk. After two scoreless games, Ajax were looking to rediscover their goalscoring form. In the 17th minute, Seb Haller opened the scoring with a header to the far post. Goalkeeping heroics prevented Haller from scoring another goal and shortly after that RKC got their first chance: Kramer’s header finding the gloves of Pasveer in the Ajax goal. Just before half-time, Berghuis finished an attack that was set up by a wonderful Tadic backheel to go 0-2 up. At the start of the second half, RKC squandered another good chance over the crossbar. In the 57th minute, Berghuis scored his second goal of the game after Vaessen couldn’t handle the shot of Haller. Ajax kept looking for the 4th goal and they found it when Timber scored with a neat bottom-left finish in the 74th minute. Haller wrapped up the scoring late on with his second of the game.
Ajax have now scored 42 goals and conceded just two all season.
PSV decides game early against Vitesse, Cambuur surprises Utrecht
Eindhoven 2-0 Vitesse
Vitesse came to Eindhoven with the hopes of remaining close to the top three. PSV started strongly in the first half, despite missing Zahavi, who is out for the remainder of the year with an injury. Sangare scored with an effort from distance in the 19th minute. They were able to keep the pressure on Vitesse and within half an hour it was 2-0 after a wonderful Bruma volley. In the second half, and with one eye on their upcoming fixture period, PSV took their foot off the gas pedal. Vitesse were the better team in the second half and Drommel had to save shots from Openda, Bero and Darfolou. PSV continued to defend well though and secured a deserved three points.
Cambuur 2-1 Utrecht
Utrecht now had the chance to profit from Vitesse’s loss. In the final game of the weekend, they went to promoted side Cambuur. The match was interrupted twice because of fireworks on the field and fans trying to get into the stadium. After a hectic opening, Cambuur were the most alert and Uldrikis immediately scored, giving the home side the lead. Sylla equalized for Utrecht after his shot was deflected beyond the reach of Cambuur goalkeeper, Stevens. In the second half Jacobs decided the game for Cambuur.
Cambuur now move to seventh with 21 points, just one point behind Vitesse on 22. Utrecht are still fourth, with 23 points.
