The Amsterdam giants had already demolished Venlo at home by the same score-line and De Graafschap away 8-1 this season. But against the side of their former legend, Louis van Gaal, they definitely showed their title credentials, based on a front line which has now hit 52 goals in just 18 Eredivisie games.
Edgar Davids featured for the first time this season after recovering from a broken leg and Kenneth Pérez re-appeared in an Ajax shirt following a short spell at PSV Eindhoven. And they both helped their side return to winning ways in breathtaking fashion.
Questionable decisions
Actually, Adrie Koster’s men had to come from behind to hand Van Gaal the heaviest defeat of his illustrious career. Just five minutes into the game Ari collected the ball after Mounir El Hamdaoui had hit the woodwork and scored on the rebound, even though Demy de Zeeuw looked off-side.
Jan Vertonghen brought the tie back to level terms on 23 minutes and then, just before the break, Roelof Luinge made a critical decision: De Zeeuw used his hand to clear a Klaas-Jan Huntelaar header behind the goal line. Instead of granting a goal and brandishing a yellow card, the 52-year-old referee awarded a penalty and sent off the international midfielder after consulting with his assistant.
It proved a bitter blow to Alkmaar, left with 10 men and a goal behind as former star Pérez duly converted the penalty on the stroke of half-time (2-1).
Twenty-goal mark
And then the floodgates opened, as the Johan Cruyff Schaal and Beker holders added another four to the delight of 50.639 fans. After El Hamdaoui had wasted a great chance for the visitors, Huntelaar hit two (61’, 89’) to make it 20 goals for the season and Kennedy Bakircioglü (67’), Leonardo (87’) were also on the score sheet. The Brazilian also appeared for the first time this season while Davids and Pérez were rewarded with their own standing ovation. A dream afternoon for Ajax, another disaster for AZ.
Heerenveen earned themselves a two-goal cushion before the half-hour mark at Utrecht, only to settle for a 2-2 draw. Danijel Pranjić opened the score with a free-kick seconds after kick-off and in-form Michael Bradley made it 2-0 on 27 minutes with his 11th strike this season. But Aljé Schut halved the deficit (50’) and Sander Keller equalized (69’), with both the hosts’ goals being created by Leroy George. Gerald Sibon had the greatest of chances to win the match for Heerenveen, but Michel Vorm kept his 80th–minute penalty kick out.
Kolk shines
Santi Kolk scored a brace (41’, 79’) and Jasar Takak added another (56’), his first for the club, as Vitesse entered the race for European qualification with a sound 3-0 victory at De Graafschap. They could have made it four, but Paul Verhaegh aimed straight at the woodwork.
Finally, Gert Heerkes enjoyed the best of debuts as head coach of Heracles, who proved too strong for hapless Sparta Rotterdam on their artificial home turf. Kwame Quansah broke the deadlock just 13 minutes into the game and Ricky van den Bergh found the back of the net on 53 minutes to seal off a 2-0 victory for the hosts. It was his long-awaited first strike for the Almelo side, ironically against one of his former clubs.
Edgar Davids featured for the first time this season after recovering from a broken leg and Kenneth Pérez re-appeared in an Ajax shirt following a short spell at PSV Eindhoven. And they both helped their side return to winning ways in breathtaking fashion.
Questionable decisions
Actually, Adrie Koster’s men had to come from behind to hand Van Gaal the heaviest defeat of his illustrious career. Just five minutes into the game Ari collected the ball after Mounir El Hamdaoui had hit the woodwork and scored on the rebound, even though Demy de Zeeuw looked off-side.
Jan Vertonghen brought the tie back to level terms on 23 minutes and then, just before the break, Roelof Luinge made a critical decision: De Zeeuw used his hand to clear a Klaas-Jan Huntelaar header behind the goal line. Instead of granting a goal and brandishing a yellow card, the 52-year-old referee awarded a penalty and sent off the international midfielder after consulting with his assistant.
It proved a bitter blow to Alkmaar, left with 10 men and a goal behind as former star Pérez duly converted the penalty on the stroke of half-time (2-1).
Twenty-goal mark
And then the floodgates opened, as the Johan Cruyff Schaal and Beker holders added another four to the delight of 50.639 fans. After El Hamdaoui had wasted a great chance for the visitors, Huntelaar hit two (61’, 89’) to make it 20 goals for the season and Kennedy Bakircioglü (67’), Leonardo (87’) were also on the score sheet. The Brazilian also appeared for the first time this season while Davids and Pérez were rewarded with their own standing ovation. A dream afternoon for Ajax, another disaster for AZ.
Heerenveen earned themselves a two-goal cushion before the half-hour mark at Utrecht, only to settle for a 2-2 draw. Danijel Pranjić opened the score with a free-kick seconds after kick-off and in-form Michael Bradley made it 2-0 on 27 minutes with his 11th strike this season. But Aljé Schut halved the deficit (50’) and Sander Keller equalized (69’), with both the hosts’ goals being created by Leroy George. Gerald Sibon had the greatest of chances to win the match for Heerenveen, but Michel Vorm kept his 80th–minute penalty kick out.
Kolk shines
Santi Kolk scored a brace (41’, 79’) and Jasar Takak added another (56’), his first for the club, as Vitesse entered the race for European qualification with a sound 3-0 victory at De Graafschap. They could have made it four, but Paul Verhaegh aimed straight at the woodwork.
Finally, Gert Heerkes enjoyed the best of debuts as head coach of Heracles, who proved too strong for hapless Sparta Rotterdam on their artificial home turf. Kwame Quansah broke the deadlock just 13 minutes into the game and Ricky van den Bergh found the back of the net on 53 minutes to seal off a 2-0 victory for the hosts. It was his long-awaited first strike for the Almelo side, ironically against one of his former clubs.
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