Turnbull error spurs Ajax to 3-1 win over Blues

Ajax 3 Chelsea 1

A calamitous error by Ross Turnbull helped Martin Jol’s Ajax to a comfortable win over a young Chelsea side in their pre-season friendly fixture in Amsterdam.

Jol, who is to remain in Holland after his bosses refused to release him to take over as Fulham manager, would have been delighted by the positive start his side made against the Barclays Premier League champions and they were rewarded with an early goal.

Former Feyenoord youngster Jeffrey Bruma attempted to clear a cross in the box but his header struck keeper Turnbull on the arm and flew into the net.

Daniel Sturridge then scored an excellent equaliser for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who were again without their World Cup contingent, as a loose ball broke to him around 25 yards out and the England Under-21 international produced a wonderful controlled finish.

But then Turnbull failed to deal with a long punt downfield by Holland international keeper Maarten Stekelenburg, losing the ball as he slid towards the edge of his area to allow Siem De Jong to slot home into the empty net and give the hosts a 2-1 interval lead.

Korea’s Suk Hyun-jun then sealed the win in the final minute as he tapped in Daley Blind’s cross for the Eredivisie outfit.