Feyenoord, last champion in 2017, now has a 6-point lead over Ajax, which appears to have a more difficult program than the list leader. Ajax still has to compete against AZ, PSV and FC Twente. Feyenoord ended a series of nineteen away games without a win over Ajax with the win.
Quilindschy Hartman, recovered from a flu, returned to Feyenoord’s basic formation. The left back had a large share in the opening goal. He escaped the attention of Mohammed Kudus after 5 minutes and was also too fast for Jorge Sánchez, the replacement for the injured right back Devyne Rensch. Then Hartman’s cross was so clear that Santiago Giménez could score quite easily (0-1).
Feyenoord got off to an excellent start, but had to go further and further back after the 0-1. Hartman soon received a yellow card after kicking the ball away after a pitte charge on Steven Berghuis. He was by no means the only player of the visitors who needed a foul before the break. Ajax equalized in the 17th minute. Edson Álvarez headed in from a corner kick by Berghuis.
Shortly after the equalizer, Hartman escaped a second yellow card. Referee Danny Makkelie didn’t draw a card when the left back blocked Kudus and worked his way to the ground. Slot breathed a sigh of relief and Hartman replaced Marcos López after just 25 minutes. Ajax continued to dominate after that quick change. Steven Bergwijn first shot over in a promising position, but did provide the assist to Dusan Tadic’s 2-1 in the 37th minute.
Feyenoord faltered in the first half, but fought back strongly for the umpteenth time this season. Sebastian Szymanski equalized in the 52nd minute, after preparatory work by Alireza Jahanbakhsh. Trainer John Heitinga of Ajax reacted quickly and made an offensive change by bringing in Francisco Conceição, Davy Klaassen and Brian Brobbey. Kudus was close to 3-2, but goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther’s reflex was great. Geertruida did score on the other side in the final phase and brought his team a lot closer to the national title.
