Netherlands round-up: Ajax regain top spot

AFC Ajax extended their lead in the Eredivisie after beating FC Den Bosch 1-0 on Sunday, while nearest rivals Feyenoord were held to a 2-2 draw by FC Utrecht.

PSV second
Ajax top the league table with 39 points from 19 matches while PSV Eindhoven, who beat NAC Breda 3-1 on Saturday, are second with 37 points from 20 matches. Feyenoord lie third with 36 points but have a game in hand over the Amsterdam club.

Disappointing match
In a slow-paced, disappointing match with few chances, Ajax's winner came from an Andy van der Meyde shot from just outside the area in the 13th minute. The former SBV Vitesse midfield player took full advantage as the Den Bosch defence waved for an offside against Zlatan Ibrahimovic to slot the ball home.

Unbeaten record
Feyenoord started strongly in their match against Utrecht - who are unbeaten at home this season - and took the lead in the second minute when Jon Dahl Tomasson beat the offside trap and rounded goalkeeper Harald Wapenaar. But Utrecht recovered quickly and levelled three minutes later through Dave van den Bergh.

Van Hooijdonk header
The home side kept Feyenoord under pressure and in the 35th minute took a deserved lead when Stefan Tanghe finished off an excellent attack. Feyenoord gained control in the second half and equalised on the hour when Pierre van Hooijdonk scored his 15th goal of the season with a header from a Kees van Wonderen cross.

Sektioui on target
Tarik Sektioui's first-half goal gave Willem II a deserved win over RKC Waalwijk in a derby clash that was marred by a brawl late in the game. The trouble was sparked in the 82nd minute when Willem striker Jattoo Ceesay tackled Carlos van Waanroy and around 15 players were drawn into the ensuing melée.

Derby win
Remco van der Schaaf's penalty ensured a 2-1 derby win for Vitesse against local rivals NEC Nijmegen at the Gelredome. Frank Demouge put the visitors ahead after eleven minutes, tucking away Jarda Simr's free-kick in a crowded penalty area. Bob Peeters then equalised for Vitesse in the 35th minute before Van der Schaaf's winning goals sealed the three points.