Ajax keep up pressure at top

Ajax closed the gap on league leaders AZ Alkmaar to three points with a 6-0 thrashing of 10-man De Graafschap today.

The visitors were already 2-0 up through Dario Cvitanich and Miralem Sulejmani when Joost Volmer was sent off in the 34th minute, and made the most of their numerical advantage in the second half.

Luis Suarez added the third from the penalty spot and made it 4-0 on 62 minutes, before Urby Emanuelson (67) and Cvitanich (71) completed the rout.

De Graafschap are now just one point above bottom side FC Volendam, who recorded a 3-1 win over Heracles.

Dominique van Dijk set up the win with a goal in each half and substitute Melvin Platje grabbed the third, Vojtech Schulmeister replying for the visitors.

FC Twente kept pace with the leaders with a 2-0 home win over Willem II courtesy of goals from Douglas Franco (34) and Blaise Nkufo (68).

PSV are fourth in the table after a narrow victory over Feyenoord, Ibrahim Afellay grabbing the only goal of the game 12 minutes from time, while NEC and ADO Den Haag fought out a goalless draw.