PSV tops Dutch league; Ajax second

The Hague (Netherlands) March 19 (IANS) With six match rounds remaining the difference between Dutch league leaders PSV and number two Ajax remains at seven points with both clubs claiming a victory.

Ajax had a difficult first half in Rotterdam on Sunday. Michiel Kramer opened the scoring for Sparta and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar equalised but at halftime the scoreboard displayed for Ajax a disappointing 1-1. The second half showed a different Ajax reports Xinhua news agency.

Lasse Schone put Ajax in front and through Justin Kluivert and a brace by Hakim Ziyech Ajax booked a 5-2 victory.

Ryan Sanusi concluded the match with a free kick and the second goal for Sparta.

On Saturday PSV had to take revenge for last week s 5-0 smashing at Willem II. With Hirving Lozano and Jorrit Hendrix back from suspension it took until the 68th minute for Marco van Ginkel to break the deadlock against VVV-Venlo. Van Ginkel added a second goal from the penalty spot and Lozano also scored 3-0.

FC Utrecht meanwhile drew 2-2 at Heerenveen on Saturday and on Sunday AZ beat FC Groningen 3-2 in Alkmaar and Feyenoord defeated PEC Zwolle 4-3 in Zwolle. Robin van Persie scored twice for the Rotterdam based reigning champions.

PSV now lead the Eredivisie with 71 points after 28 match rounds followed by Ajax (64) AZ (59) Feyenoord (48) and FC Utrecht (48).

--IANS
sam/bg/