The Hague (Netherlands), January 11 (ANI): PSV missed its chance to go top of the Dutch Eredivisie after a 2-2 draw with reigning Dutch champions and league leaders Ajax on Sunday in Amsterdam.
PSV had a stunning start in their first match after the winter break in the Johan Cruijff Arena when Donyell Malen assisted the opening goal by Eran Zahavi, who had replaced injured German star Mario Gotze in the starting line-up, with a backheel pass in the second minute.
The visitors from Eindhoven continued to surprise Ajax with sharp counter attacks in the opening phase. When Ajax striker Antony lost the ball PSV profited. Malen set up a combination with Israeli striker Zahavi and the latter scored his second goal.
Ajax came close to a goal when Captain Dusan Tadic hit the post, and five minutes from half-time Tadic brought in a cross from the left and Quincy Promes scored. In the second half new signing Sebastien Haller, who arrived from West Ham United this week, came in for Zakaria Labyad and Ajax continued its search for a second goal.
Haller found the net only minutes after his entrance, but the goal by the Cote d'Ivoire international was disallowed for offside. In the 65th minute, Antony made up for his mistake in the first half. The Brazilian forward scored from an assist by Haller.
Earlier on Sunday Feyenoord won 2-0 away at Sparta Rotterdam, Fortuna Sittard continued its good form with a 3-1 win at SC Heerenveen and VVV-Venlo beat Willem II 2-1. On Saturday AZ drew 1-1 at PEC Zwolle, FC Twente defeated FC Emmen 4-1, and Vitesse won 2-0 at Heracles Almelo.
Ajax kept the lead in the Eredivisie with 35 points from 15 matches, followed by PSV with 34 points, Feyenoord and Vitesse with 32 points, and AZ in fifth place with 28 points.
Source: Xinhua