Kluivert and Farfan on target as PSV stretch lead
Henk ten Cate’s side dropped another two points in a 2-2 draw at NEC Nijmegen while PSV triumphed 2-1 over lowly ADO at the Philips Stadion.
Kenneth Perez, back from a ban, opened the scoring for the Amsterdammers in Nijmegen, converting a left-wing cross from Ryan Babel in the 62nd minute.
NEC levelled in the 76th minute through Romano Denneboom.
Three minutes later and NEC were ahead through a header from Peter Wisgerhof.
The reply from Ajax was immediate, however, and substitute Tom de Mul’s ball into the box found Garcia Gabri where he tapped home for a share of the spoils.
PSV enjoyed a swift return to winning ways after having their run of 12 straight wins brought to an end on St Stephen’s Day with a 1-1 draw at Feyenoord.
The champions responded by grinding out a win over 17th-placed ADO to ensure their advantage at the summit heading into the New Year will be at least 10 points.
Patrick Kluivert set Ronald Koeman’s team on their way just after the half-hour mark and Jefferson Farfan doubled the lead three minutes into the second half.
Wesley Verhoek pulled one back for ADO 12 minutes from time, but it was not enough.
AZ Alkmaar dropped another two points in their pursuit of PSV yesterday following a 2-2 draw against Roda JC.
The third-placed hosts are now 12 points behind PSV.
It could have been worse for Louis van Gaal’s men, though, as they twice had to come from behind to secure a point, Barry Opdam and Danny Koevermans grabbing the goals.
Andres Oper had a mixed day for Roda. He scored both goals but was then sent off with 11 minutes to go.
FC Groningen provided the perfect response to their St Stephen’s Day setback at home to Sparta Rotterdam by securing a 2-0 away win over 10-man RKC Waalwijk.
FC Twente were brought down to earth with a resounding bump on Saturday after slipping to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of a resurgent Sparta Rotterdam.
Heerenveen’s final match before the New Year break ended in disappointment as they were held to an insipid goalless draw by FC Utrecht at the Abe Lenstra Stadion.
On Friday night, Feyenoord secured the spoils in the big Rotterdam derby with a convincing 3-1 victory at Excelsior.
Heracles Almelo missed the chance to put some distance between themselves and their relegation rivals following a 2-2 draw with Vitesse Arnhem yesterday.
Meanwhile in Serie A, Palermo sporting director Rino Foschi has been sent a young goat’s head through the post.
The package, which was posted in Palermo, was opened by Foschi’s wife in Cesena.
The kid’s head was sent as an apparent Christmas present and has been handed over to police.
Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini told Il Giornale di Sicilia: “It’s a nasty gesture that offends not just the Rosaneri but the entire city.”
Foschi told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “I have lived in Palermo as if it were paradise for five years and the people are special. For me it’s a joke.”
Elsewhere, goalkeeper Yaacov Hodorov, widely regarded as Israel’s best player of the 1950s and 60s, died yesterday, his family said. He was 79.
Hodorov was the first goalkeeper for Israel’s national team after the creation of the Jewish state in 1948. He played for Israel 31 times until 1964 and became a folk hero when soccer was in its infancy in the country.
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