The battle for the premier league football championship has opened up after leader PSV Eindhoven dropped more points at the weekend while Amsterdam rival Ajax and Alkmaar’s AZ both won their matches. PSV only managed to draw 1-1 against Rotterdam’s lowly-placed Sparta and have now dropped eight points in their last three games.

The gap between second-placed Ajax, who beat ADO Den Haag 2-1, has narrowed to just three points. AZ, who won its match with Willem II of Tilburg 2-0 are just four points behind the leader.
PSV manager Ronald Koeman said self-doubt had crept into the team. ‘The championship has opened up again. We’re not invincible anymore and other teams now think they can get something out of the game.’
Feyenoord’s woes continued on Sunday after the Rotterdam team lost 3-0 against FC Twente. Manager Erwin Koeman (Ronald’s brother) was so annoyed with the defeat that he kept his team in the changing room for 15 minutes after the game for a severe dressing down.
Ajax’s victory was marked by the return to form of striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. ‘The Hunter’ came on from the substitutes’ bench to score the late winner.