Eredivisie wrap: Ajax return to summit, Utrecht edge ADO

Defending Eredivisie champions Ajax reclaimed top spot with a 4-0 win over Heracles on Sunday.

Despite seeing goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer sent off in the second half, Ajax returned to the summit ahead of rivals PSV thanks to goals from Lasse Schone, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, Ryan Babel and Christian Eriksen.

Ajax, who dropped to second on Saturday following PSV’s success at Willem II, made the perfect start through Schone, who opened the scoring 13 minutes in at Amsterdam ArenA.

Frank de Boer’s men, however, faced a nervous second half after Vermeer saw red in the 48th minute.

But the 10 men of Ajax managed to double their advantage just four minutes later courtesy of Sigthorsson before Babel and Eriksen added gloss to the scoreline during the final quarter.

Ajax move three points clear of PSV and Vitesse on top of the standings as a result.

Elsewhere on Sunday, sixth-placed Utrecht notched their fourth successive home victory after running out 1-0 winners against ADO Den Haag.

Jens Toornstra struck the winning goal in the 71st minute, while also extending Den Haag ‘s winless run away from home to eight games.

Den Haag drop to ninth following NEC’s 1-1 draw with lowly AZ Alkmaar, who are hovering dangerously above the relegation playoff zone, just four points clear.

Meanwhile, Groningen prevailed 3-1 at home to Heerenveen in their mid-table clash.