Ajax 4-1 PSV: Urby Emanuelson Nets Wonder Goal In Resounding Victory

A superb performance from Ajax saw them comprehensively defeat PSV 4-1 at the Amsterdam ArenA to close the gap on their rivals in the Eredivisie to just a single point.

Goals from Siem de Jong, Urby Emanuelson and Marko Pantelic put Martin Jol's side in the clear before a late penalty from Balázs Dzsudzsak acted as sole consolation for the visitors, who now trail Twente by five points at the top of the table.

Luis Suarez rounded off the win with a neat finish in the closing minutes, and the home fans enjoyed what was a resounding win.

PSV lost their first match of the season away to NAC last weekend, and given Twente’s 3-1 win over Den Haag on Friday night, they knew they could ill afford another slip up.

Ajax were nine points behind Steve McLaren’s league leaders, but started the match with determination and desire, with the belief that three points could boost their own Eredivisie aspirations.

The Amsterdam ArenA was packed to capacity, and the spectacle did not disappoint, with the opening 45 minutes being played at a frenetic pace. Martin Jol’s side had the majority of possession in the opening stages, and on the balance of play deservedly took the lead on 28 minutes.

A corner from the right made its way to the back post, where Luis Suarez volleyed across goal. Andreas Isaksson could only parry the Uruguayan’s strike into the path of Siem de Jong, and the midfielder made no mistake from six yards to send the partisan home crowd into raptures.

The act of going behind shook PSV into action, and they attempted to immediately hit back. Demy de Zeeuw carelessly squandered possession in midfield and the visitors were handed a three-on-one fast break, but poor passing slowed the attack and in the end Ola Toivonen skewed his shot wide of the post.

Ajax however remained a real offensive threat and they doubled their advantage before half-time thanks to a vintage goal from Urby Emanuelson. Marko Pantelic beautifully back-heeled the ball into the path of the flying full-back, who cut it on his right foot and unleashed an unstoppable strike perfectly into the top corner of Isaksson’s net. It was a wonderful goal, and gave PSV a mountain to climb to take anything from the match.

PSV were undeterred, however, and Toivonen squandered a simple chance from close range in first-half stoppage time, but the ball rebounded from this shin to safety.

At the beginning of the second half, Ibrahim Afellay wasted an equally good opportunity, scuffing his back post volley wide of the target, as PSV looked to reduce the deficit.

From that point on, Ajax were in complete control of the contest. Luis Suarez produced an exquisite piece of skill to nutmeg Erik Pieters, but his curling shot was wonderfully kept out by the outstretched palm of Isaksson.

The clinching third was not long in arriving. Nordin Amrabat was caught dwelling on the ball in the centre of the pitch, allowing De Zeeuw to slide an inch-perfect pass to Pantelic, and he was clinical with his finish across Isaksson and into the net.

But Suarez had the last word, curling home in the final minute to add gloss to the victory, and leave PSV licking their wounds in what may prove to be a pivotal day in the title race.

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