Title chasers Ajax and Alkmaar’s AZ failed to keep up the pressure on premier league leaders Eindhoven’s PSV at the weekend. Amsterdam’s Ajax only managed a 2-2 draw at home to Rotterdam’s struggling Excelsior, who have not had a victory in their last 10 games. And AZ met the same fate with a 1-1 draw away against FC Groningen.

With PSV notching up a 2-0 away win against Almelo on Saturday, the Eindhoven club have now extended the gap with Ajax to five points. AZ trail PSV by six points.
AZ manager Louis van Gaal said a top club manages to hold onto a lead. His club let its 1-0 advantage against Groningen slip away.
Feyenoord of Rotterdam saw its bad patch turn good with a 2-0 victory over FC Utrecht.