Ajax hit five for second match in a row to rise to fourth

Ajax moved up to fourth place in the Eredivisie as they swept aside Willem II to notch up their second 5-1 victory in five days.

Oskar Gloukh and German veteran Julian Brandt combined to give the Tilburgers constant problems down the left channel, while Kasper Dolberg crowned a strong performance with the fifth goal.

The visitors, who ended AZ Alkmaar’s run of five straight wins at the weekend, held out until the 41st minute, when Davy Klaassen pounced on a loose ball after Brandt’s cross had opened up the defence.

The German doubled the score just before half-time before Gloukh took control after the break, setting up Viktor Tsyhankov for the third goal before getting on the scoresheet himself with a low shot beneath goalkeeper Maxime Delanghe.

Willem II pulled one back through Alessandro Ciranni, but Dolberg had the last word when he headed a cross against the post but managed to steer in the rebound.

Gloukh said his understanding with Brandt was helping to improve his game: “He’s a really good player with experience, you can learn from him in training and in the games. He understands me well even though we haven’t played much together.”

Ajax confirmed on Wednesday morning they had completed the signing of Malinese international Yves Bissouma, who was a free agent after being released during the summer by Tottenham Hotspur.

The 30-year-old played 202 games in the Premier League for Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham, but his career stalled in August 2024 when a film appeared on Snapchat of him inhaling nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, which is a controlled drug in the UK.

Director of football Jordi Cruyff said: “He can play in several positions and we are hoping to get him match fit as quickly as possible.”

Utrecht fans banned

Elsewhere, Utrecht have issued bans to 18 supporters after their home match against Go Ahead Eagles on September 5 was abandoned when fireworks and plastic cups were thrown from the stands.

Utrecht said the bans had been imposed after camera footage from the game was reviewed and further sanctions were likely.

“FC Utrecht is continuing to analyse the available images in order to identify others who were involved,” the club said in a statement.

The remaining 26 minutes were played in an empty stadium last Tuesday, with Go Ahead coming back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3.