By Sedara Oluwadara
PSV beat Ajax 2-1 in Amsterdam on Sunday to take over the lead in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Ajax coach Alfred Schreuder benched Dutch internationals Kenneth Taylor, Davy Klaassen and Daley Blind for the top-of-the-table clash and chose Brian Brobbey up front, while PSV welcomed returning captain Luuk de Jong.
De Jong opened the scoring in the Johan Cruyff Arena, tapping home a cross from Cody Gakpo at the near post in the 23rd minute.
After Erick Gutierrez made it 2-0 for PSV on 50 minutes from a rebound on an attempt by De Jong, the visitors sat back to defend with comfort for the remainder of the second half.
However, when substitute Lorenzo Lucca narrowed the margin in the 83rd minute, a hectic final phase arose.
Tensions rose and a fracas among several players after the final whistle showed the heated relations between the two teams.
The 2-1 win meant PSV take over the lead in the Eredivisie from Ajax with 30 points from 13 matches.
Ajax are second with 28 points from 12 matches and can retake first place with a win at home to Vitesse on Wednesday. ■
