Ajax's gap to leaders PSV enlarged with loss to AZ

Ajax lost 1-0 at home to AZ on Thursday and also lost more ground on league leaders PSV in the Dutch title race.

With new signing Daley Sinkgraven, who came over from sc Heerenveen, in the starting line-up Ajax were the better team in the first half, creating some minor chances. In the second half AZ came back into the match and the visitors were boosted by a red card for Niklas Moisander in the 61st minute.

Moisander slightly touched AZ striker Aron Johannsson, who was looking for a breakaway, and referee Pol van Boekel sent the Ajax captain from the pitch. Johannsson became match winner in the 76th minute by tipping-in a shot by Simon Poulsen.

Ajax suffered their second consecutive defeat and failed to score in their third league match in a row without scoring after a 0-0 at Feyenoord and a 1-0 loss at Vitesse.

On Tuesday, Eredivisie leaders PSV beat NAC 2-0 in Breda, PEC Zwolle defeated FC Dordrecht 4-0 on Wednesday and also on Wednesday Feyenoord lost 3-1 at sc Heerenveen and FC Twente got beaten at ADO Den Haag 2-0.

With 55 points from 21 matches, PSV now have a 12-point advantage over second placed Ajax.

PEC Zwolle (21-39) surpassed Feyenoord (21-39) to reach the third place and AZ (21-38) are fifth with as many points as Feyenoord. Endi