THE HAGUE, April 14 (Xinhua) -- PSV booked a narrow victory over De Graafschap on Sunday to follow the footsteps of league leaders Ajax, but saw the goal difference gap grow.
Ajax had an easy evening against Excelsior on Saturday in 6-2, three days before the second leg of the Champions League encounter with Juventus in Turin. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar chipped in the opening goal, followed by a goal by Dusan Tadic and another one by Huntelaar. Mounir El Hamdaoui hit home a goal for the visitors just before half-time.
In the second half in Amsterdam, Tadic scored his second goal from the penalty spot, Huntelaar completed a hat-trick and substitute Kasper Dolberg smashed in the 6th goal before Jeffry Fortes made it 6-2.
Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong limped off with a minor hamstring injury in the first half. "Out of precaution, nothing serious," said Ajax coach Erik ten Hag afterwards at the press conference. "I don't know yet if he can play against Juventus."
On Sunday, PSV answered with a 2-1 win against De Graafschap in Eindhoven. Delano Burgzorg headed the visitors in front and after missing several chances the home team first scored in the 65th minute. Steven Bergwijn converted a penalty and eight minutes later Luuk de Jong became match winner.
The results mean Ajax, which took over the lead last week, now lead the Eredivisie with 74 points after 30 match rounds and a goal difference of +78. PSV are second with the same amount of points, but a goal difference of +66. There are four match rounds remaining in the Eredivisie.
Feyenoord strengthened the third place on Saturday with a 2-1 home win over Heracles Almelo. The Rotterdam based club are now four points ahead of AZ, which lost 3-2 at home to ADO Den Haag.
