Ajax break Twente's hold to join leaders

AFC Ajax overcame fellow UEFA Cup contenders FC Twente 2-0 in the Eredivisie thanks to goals late in either half from Siem de Jong and Rasmus Lindgren to take a share of top spot in the Netherlands.

Ajax revenge
Steven McClaren's Twente were eager to repeat last season's 2-1 victories in the Eredivisie and UEFA Champions League play-offs against the Amsterdam side in Enschede on Saturday evening, but instead Marco van Basten's side turned the tables. De Jong converted debutant Javier Martina's hard and low cross after 40 minutes but Twente had some fine chances after that through Blaise Nkufo and a Stein Huysegems effort that hit the crossbar. Ajax held firm, though, and Lindgren's stoppage time run and lob moved them level on points with leaders AZ Alkmaar and third-placed NAC Breda.

Chances spurned
"It was one of those days when the ball just does not want to go in," said McClaren, whose team visit Manchester City FC on Thursday in UEFA Cup Group A. "The first half was played at too low a tempo and it was to our disadvantage Ajax scored right before the break. Then we had to chase but we did that pretty well. But it all leads to nothing if you cannot convert the chances you get. Sometimes that happens."

Depleted squad
Van Basten was proud of his side's performance given they were missing eleven players, even though they relied on two counterattacks to take the victory. "Of course we are Ajax, and we want to display attacking football," he said. "But I am proud of my players as everyone knows about our problems. In such a period you have to limit the damage. Then you have to work extremely hard and be glad with every victory. And that is what we are, as Twente are a very good side. We chose this tactical plan and received maximum reward for that." Ajax go to MSK Žilina on Thursday as both teams search for first Group F points.

Koevermans birthday
Leaders AZ drew 3-3 at SC Heerenveen with Mounir El Hamdaoui scoring his 12th goal of the season while NAC beat FC Groningen 1-0 thanks to Rob Penders' late goal. The three sides at the top all have 19 points from nine matches, one more than PSV Eindhoven after their 2-0 success at home to Willem II. Danny Koevermans celebrated his 30th birthday with a beautiful lob from just outside the area to wrap up the win on 57 minutes. FC Groningen and Twente are a further point adrift.