Netherlands round-up: Ajax assume command

AFC Ajax dispatched Willem II 6-0 on Sunday, usurping reigning champions PSV Eindhoven from the top of the Dutch First Division.
 
Open gap
The win took Ajax two points clear of PSV at the head of the standings after Guus Hiddink’s side suffered a surprise 1-0 home defeat at the hands of AZ Alkmaar on Saturday following a 73rd-minute goal from Robin Nelisse.
 
Demolition job
Wesley Sonck and Zlatan Ibrahimovic slotted in before half-time to give the home team a 2-0 lead and by the hour mark it was 4-0 after further strikes from Wesley Sneijder and Victor Sikora. Tom Soetaers and Steven Pienaar completed the demolition in the closing stages.
 
Ideal preparation
The win was the perfect boost for Ronald Koeman's side, who host Belgian title-holders Club Brugge KV in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday but were defeated 4-2 at NAC Breda last weekend.
 
In touch
Feyenoord, meanwhile, stayed in touch with the leading pack after a 3-0 win at struggling FC Zwolle moved them four places up the table to sixth position. Shinji Ono scored twice for the Rotterdam team while Anthony Lurling also hit the target. All the goals came in the second half as Feyenoord initially struggled to break down a robust Zwolle, who are in a process of re-development in the aftermath of the sacking of coach Peter Boeve on Friday.

Waalwijk win
RKC Waalwijk lie fourth following their 2-0 home win against Breda, who were handed a 5-0 defeat by Newcastle United FC in the UEFA Cup in midweek. Serginho Greene and Iwan Redan, with his fifth of the season, collected the goals.
 
Away victories
ADO Den Haag, with a 2-1 away success at NEC Nijmegen, and Vitesse Arnhem, who also won 3-1 on their travels at Utrecht, picked up their first victories of the campaign. SC Heerenveen, meanwhile, defeated FC Twente 3-0 at home with two goals from former Sheffield Wednesday FC forward Gerald Sibon and another strike from Richard Knopper.

Hard-fought draw
Elsewhere, RBC Roosendaal fought out a 1-1 draw at home with FC Volendam; the visitors going ahead just before the break when Johan Tuyp was on target but being forced to accept a share of the spoils after Sammy Youssouf equalised. Roda JC and FC Groningen also battled out a draw - albeit a scoreless one.