Ajax resume normal service

Belgian international Wesley Sonck hit the only goal of the game to give AFC Ajax victory against lowly NEC Nijmegen on Sunday and ensure his side remained three points ahead of PSV Eindhoven at the top of the Dutch First Division.

Brilliant moment
In the first full round of matches since the winter break, Ajax were below their best for the majority of their encounter but one piece of brilliance by captain Rafael van der Vaart, to set up Sonck after an hour, proved decisive.

Out of rut
Second-placed PSV had drawn their last two games at FC Groningen but won 2-0 on this occasion, scoring the two goals in the last ten minutes of the first half through Wilfred Bouma and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Lazovic double
Feyenoord, in fourth, fought back from 2-0 down to beat FC Utrecht 3-2. The away side started convincingly and were 2-0 up midway through the first half after goals from Stefan Tanghe and Richal Leitoe. Thomas Buffel pulled one back, Danko Lazovic later converted a rebound from a Dirk Kuijt penalty and then his header secured the win.

Top form
RBC Roosendaal were in top form to triumph 3-0 at FC Zwolle on Saturday. Sidney Lammens opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, Edwin de Graaf doubled the advantage and Ramon Luyten rounded off proceedings with six minutes to go.

Tight win
Orlando Engelaar, Rob Penders and Arne Slot were all on target as NAC Breda prevailed to win 3-2 against FC Volendam, whose goals arrived courtesy of Eddy Putter and Houssein Ouhsaine late in the second half.

Same score
There was an identical scoreline in Willem II's game against FC Twente, with the away side coming out on top. The visitors went ahead in the ninth minute through Collins John and a Raymond Victoria own goal boosted the advantage. Blaise N'Kugo settled the affair in the 76th minute after James Quinn had narrowed the lead and Victoria made amends for his earlier mistake by striking in injury time.

Too little
Roda JC defeated RKC Waalwijk 2-1, going into the break two goals to the good following efforts from Yannis Anastasiou and Arouna Kone. Rick Hoogendorp reduced the deficit but the strike proved too little too late. Richard Knopper's goal was enough for SC Heerenveen to win 1-0 away at SBV Vitesse and on Friday ADO Den Haag edged out third-placed AZ Alkmaar 1-0.