Ajax beat Dutch title rivals PSV
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (Reuters) -- Ajax Amsterdam moved three points clear at the top of the Dutch first division after coming from behind to beat title rivals PSV Eindhoven 2-1.
Ajax now have 49 points from 19 games, with PSV on 46 from 20 matches. Third-placed Feyenoord are eight points further adrift, following a goalless draw at Vitesse Arnhem.
Wesley Sneijder and Nicolea Mitea got the goals after Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink gave PSV the lead.
Vennegoor of Hesselink struck after 42 minutes when he headed a Mark van Bommel free kick over goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and into the far corner.
But Ajax, who had a number of first-team players out injured, made an inspired comeback after the break as Dutch international Sneijder leveled on 51 minutes with a powerful shot past PSV goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus.
Ten minutes later Romanian Nicolea Mitea scored the winner from close range when Waterreus spilled the ball.
Mateja Kezman wasted several good chances as PSV battled to equalize, but the home side held on to secure all three points.
Groningen ended a run of three consecutive home defeats and moved up to 12th after a 2-0 win over NEC Nijmegen, with goals from Arvid Smit and Chris de Witte.
ADO Den Haag remained second from bottom after suffering their 12th defeat of the season with a 1-0 loss at Willem II Tilburg, who move up to sixth.
On Saturday, Dutch cup semifinalists NAC Breda fought back from being 3-1 down at halftime to beat Heerenveen 4-3, while fourth-placed AZ Alkmaar beat lowly Volendam 3-0.
Copyright 2004
Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
