Netherlands round-up: PSV lead into break

Wilfred Bouma's goal against SBV Vitesse on Saturday sent PSV Eindhoven into the winter break holding top spot in the Eredivisie.

Bouma the hero
PSV wrestled the first division leadership from title rivals AFC Ajax with a superb 4-2 victory at the Amsterdam ArenA last weekend, and maintained their advantage with a 1-0 win at the Philips stadium thanks to Bouma's 42nd-minute free-kick.

Ibrahimovic on target
Ajax ensured the gap was just two points on Sunday, beating struggling SC Excelsior 2-0 in Rotterdam. Swedish international striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored in the second minute before Excelsior's Dann Buijs was sent off nine minutes before half-time. Petri Pasanen made sure of the points when he headed Ajax's second shortly after the interval to keep his side hot on the heels of PSV.

Feyenoord held
Third-placed Feyenoord were unable to emulate last weekend's 6-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar, only managing a 1-1 draw away at NAC Breda. Sebastian Pardo gave Feyenoord the lead after five minutes, but just when the visitors seemed certain to take the three points, defender Csaba Fehér scored with four minutes remaining to move NAC up to fourth.

Sonko sinks Utrecht 
Roda JC are fifth after Gambian striker Edrissa Sonko struck six minutes before half-time to give the Kerkrade club a 1-0 home win over FC Utrecht on Friday evening. In Friday's other match, FC Twente moved into tenth spot after beating RBC Roosendaal 3-0 in Enschede. Jurgen Cavens opened the scoring on 21 minutes and further goals from Thijs Houwing (71) and Collins John (75) completed a routine victory.

Thriller in Doetinchem
In the battle between the division's bottom clubs, De Graafschap enhanced their hopes of survival with a thrilling 3-2 home win against FC Zwolle in Doetinchem. Arvid Smit put De Graafschap ahead after eight minutes only for goals from Arjan Bosschart and Albert van der Haar to turn the tie in Zwolle's favour. Hans van der Haar's 77th-minute penalty restored parity and defender Tim Bakens was the hero for De Graafschap, scoring the winner three minutes from full time.

Nijmegen stalemate
In the weekend's remaining fixtures, NEC Nijmegen and RKC Waalwijk played out a goalless draw at the Goffert stadium, while a Denny Landzat goal was enough for Willem II to see off the challenge of FC Groningen. Eredivisie action returns after the winter break on 31 January.