PSV Eindhoven returned to winning ways in the Eredivisie with a 6-0 thrashing of Excelsior as the top three all notched up comfortable victories.

Luuk de Jong scored the first and last goals of the game to take his personal tally to 14, while Excelsior added to their woes with two own goals to add to strikes by Donyell Malen and Steven Bergwijn.

Ajax’s week was dominated by speculation about the future of midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who has been linked to a €75 million move to Paris Saint Germain at the end of the season. Other clubs rumoured to be in the hunt for the 21-year-old include Barcelona and Manchester City.

On the pitch, De Jong underlined his value to the team by scoring the second goal in a 4-1 win at PEC Zwolle that keeps Ajax two points behind PSV.

Feyenoord, Utrecht win

After cutting their deficit at the top to seven points in midweek, Feyenoord also booked a 4-1 victory over Emmen, which included a debut goal for 17-year-old substitute Orkan Kökcu. It was an eventful match for Steven Berghuis, who scored a goal, missed a penalty, and played a key part in the opening goal when his shot was deflected in off the thigh of Jan-Arie van der Heijden.

FC Utrecht are up to fourth following a 3-1 dismantling of close rivals Heracles. A penalty from Simon Gustafson and two thumping strikes by Gyrano Kerk and Urby Emanuelson in the first 20 minutes sealed the points for Dick Advocaat’s side.

NAC Breda’s late 2-1 victory against Vitesse Arnhem lifted them off the bottom of the table, to be replaced by De Graafschap, who drew 0-0 at ADO Den Haag. Groningen lifted themselves out of the bottom three with a scoreless draw at VVV Venlo.

Groningen, Zwolle and Emmen all have 14 points, while above them are four teams locked on 16, including Fortuna Sittard and Willem II, who suffered heavy home defeats to AZ Alkmaar and Heerenveen respectively.

Results

Friday

Fortuna Sittard 0-3 AZ Alkmaar

PSV Eindhoven 6-0 Excelsior

Saturday

ADO Den Haag 0-0 De Graafschap

PEC Zwolle 1-4 Ajax

Willem II Tilburg 1-5 Heerenveen

Sunday

Emmen 1-4 Feyenoord

NAC Breda 2-1 Vitesse Arnhem

Utrecht 3-1 Heracles Almelo

VVV Venlo 0-0 Groningen