Ajax emerged as the standout team in the nineteenth round of the Eredivisie, securing a 2-0 win over sc Heerenveen at the Abe Lenstra Stadium.
Goals from Josip Sutalo and substitute Chuba Akpom sealed the victory, making Ajax the only top-six team to claim all three points this round.
With this result, Ajax narrowed the gap to league leaders PSV to just one point while solidifying their hold on second place.
PSV faltered the previous night, falling 3-1 to PEC Zwolle, further tightening the race at the top.
Both Ajax and Heerenveen had been eliminated from the KNVB Cup earlier in the week—Heerenveen suffered a shock defeat to amateur side Quick Boys, while Ajax was ousted by AZ.
However, the Amsterdam club managed to recover more convincingly from their midweek setback.
In the first half, Ajax took the lead through a header from defender Josip Sutalo. Despite persistent efforts to extend their advantage after the break, it wasn’t until the 82nd minute that Chuba Akpom found the back of the net, putting the game beyond doubt.
An earlier goal from Taylor was disallowed, but Akpom ensured the visitors left Friesland with a deserved victory.
Ajax’s cushion over third-placed FC Utrecht has now grown to five points, while Feyenoord trails the Amsterdammers by nine.
The much-anticipated Klassieker against Feyenoord in the Johan Cruijff ArenA looms in two weeks, promising more drama in the title race.
