THE HAGUE, Dec. 17 -- Ajax defeated AZ 2-1 in Alkmaar on Sunday, winning the battle for the second place in the Dutch Eredivisie behind league leaders PSV halfway through the season.

After a hand ball by Deyovaisio Zeefuik, AZ was awarded a penalty, which was converted by Alireza Jahanbakhsh. A few minutes from half-time Klaas-Jan Huntelaar equalized after a pass by David Neres.

A penalty decided the match in the second half. Pantelis Hatzidiakos brought down Huntelaar and Lasse Schone handed Ajax the 2-1 victory in Alkmaar.

Feyenoord booked an emphatic 7-0 win in the Rotterdam derby at Sparta, who suffered their biggest home defeat ever in Dutch professional soccer. Tonny Vilhena (twice), Dylan Vente, Steven Berghuis, Bilal Basacikoglu, Renato Tapia and Jerry St. Juste scored. A few hours later Sparta fired coach Alex Pastoor.

After two winless matches league leaders PSV needed a win against ADO Den Haag on Saturday. Luuk de Jong tipped in the opening goal in the 5th minute and with help from ADO defender Nick Kuipers he added a second two minutes later. Marco van Ginkel produced the third goal from the penalty spot: 3-0.

Also on Saturday sc Heerenveen beat NAC Breda 1-0 at home, PEC Zwolle came back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 at Willem II, FC Twente and Vitesse drew 1-1 and VVV-Venlo won the province of Limburg derby at Roda JC Kerkrade 1-0. On Sunday FC Utrecht drew 1-1 at home against Heracles Almelo.

【体坛英语资讯：Ajax beat AZ, PSV clinch winter title】相关文章：

★ 体坛资讯：Iran fights back to draw China 2-2

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Christina Aguilera reveals baby son pics

★ 体坛英语资讯：Brazil notice Valencias Diego Alves

★ 体坛英语资讯：Bryant heads U.S. basketball team to Beijing Olympics

★ 体坛英语资讯：Nadal the latest upset at Masters Cup

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Hatcher defends herself over deal

★ 体坛英语资讯：Nadal reaches Shanghai semis with Ferrers help

★ 体坛英语资讯：WR holder Du expects improvement in three positions

★ 体坛资讯：Chinese gymnast Wang on track of sentience recovery

★ 体坛英语资讯：James throws up more bricks, Celtics win 89-73