Eredivisie Review: PSV leave it late, Ajax keep up the pressure

PSV racked up their fifth successive Eredivisie win in Sunday’s 2-1 triumph at Heracles – but they left it late in Almelo.

Phillip Cocu’s side were forced to come from behind as they looked to maintain their four-point lead over reigning champions Ajax, who had beaten Cambuur 4-2 earlier in the day.

Brian Linssen gave Heracles a 29th-minute lead as he found the net from close range after Jeroen Zoet could only parry Oussama Tannane’s long-range free-kick into the attacker’s path.

Luuk de Jong restored parity just before the break with a composed finish, though, slotting home after receiving Memphis Depay’s disguised pass.

And Karim Rekik earned PSV all three points in second-half stoppage-time, prodding into the net after a goalmouth scramble.

Ajax had previously put the table-toppers under pressure to earn victory as they dispatched Cambuur comfortably away from home.

Sebastian Steblecki gave the hosts a surprise lead after just two minutes, but Ajax fought back and found themselves 2-1 up by the 23rd minute thanks to goals from Arkadiusz Milik and Davy Klaassen.

Milik netted his second of the day with an hour played, rounding off a delightful flowing move as he tapped in at the back post and in-form Anwar El Ghazi added the fourth 12 minutes from time, seeing his effort deflect off Vytautas Andriuskevicius and into the net.

Bartholomew Ogbeche pulled one back from the penalty spot in the fourth minute of stoppage time, but it was nothing more than a consolation as Ajax kept the heat on PSV.

Twente moved up to third after they inflicted a sixth successive league defeat on Dordrecht, beating their hosts 4-0.

Goals from Hakim Ziyech and Andreas Bjelland were swiftly followed by a Funso Ojo own-goal to give Twente a 3-0 lead by the 25th minute and Dordrecht’s task was made even tougher a few moments later.

Ilias Haddad received a straight red card and Youness Mokhtar rounded off a comfortable triumph just before the break.

Twente were able to move up one place to third as a result of Feyenoord’s 0-0 draw at Vitesse, ending a run of five consecutive league wins for Fred Rutten’s men.