Ajax overcame an early setback against NAC Breda to maintain their nine-point lead over PSV with just six matches left in the Eredivisie season. The Amsterdammers went behind in the ninth minute in the Johan Cruyff Arena when Leo Sauer cut in from the left and hit a diagonal shot past goalkeeper Mateus. However, Ajax quickly responded, leveling the match when Kenneth Taylor converted a penalty after NAC goalkeeper Roy Kortsmit clumsily brought down Don-Angelo Konadu.
Just three minutes later, Steven Berghuis put Ajax ahead after Taylor created space in the penalty area, making it 2-1. The match was settled in the 76th minute when Taylor’s short cross was turned in at the near post by Belgian teenager Jorthy Mokio for his first Ajax goal, sealing the game at 3-1.
In another match on Sunday, PSV Eindhoven also secured a 3-1 victory in Groningen, with Malik Tillman firing in the first goal from the edge of the penalty area after just 11 minutes in his first appearance since suffering an ankle injury in January. Ivan Perisic added a second with a flashing header, while Dave Kwakman pulled one back for Groningen before substitute Johan Bakayoko secured the points with a header in the 88th minute.
Feyenoord kept up the pressure on PSV with a hard-fought 1-0 win at AZ Alkmaar that more or less put paid to the home side’s hopes of a top-three finish. The home side were sharper in front of goal, but a looping header by Zico Buurmeester over his own goalkeeper proved decisive, leaving AZ 10 points behind their rivals in fifth place.
In the match between Go Ahead Eagles and Utrecht, Utrecht battled back from two goals down to earn a point. Go Ahead Eagles started strong, with Finnish winger Oliver Antman playing a pivotal role by setting up Victor Edvardsen for the opener and then Mathis Suray to double the lead. However, Utrecht responded with Yoann Cathline making it 2-1 before Miguel Rodriguez tapped in from close range, leveling the match at 2-2.
In a crucial battle at the bottom of the table, RKC Waalwijk and Heracles Almelo played to a goalless draw, which did little to help RKC's chances of escaping relegation. RKC remains 17th, five points behind Willem II, who have taken just one point from their last nine matches. Meanwhile, Almere City managed to draw 2-2 against PEC Zwolle, coming back from two goals down.
Sparta Rotterdam also made strides away from the relegation zone with a solid 2-0 win over 10-man NEC Nijmegen. Kristian Hlynsson opened the scoring with a header that found the net off the post and goalkeeper Robin Roefs. The match turned further in Sparta’s favor when Vito van Crooij was sent off in the 75th minute for his second yellow card. Nökkvi Thórisson then settled the game with a second goal, lifting Sparta to 12th place.
As the Eredivisie season approaches its climax, Ajax remains firmly in control of the title race, while PSV and Feyenoord continue to apply pressure. The battle for European spots and relegation remains intense, with clubs fighting for every point in the final stretch of the season.
