Ajax Clinches Top Spot in Eredivisie Following Commanding Win Over Heracles

Ajax have surged to the top of the Dutch Eredivisie following a commanding 4-0 victory over Heracles Almelo at their home ground, the Johan Cruyff ArenA.

The Ajax lineup featured some changes as manager Francesco Farioli handed 19-year-old centre-back Dies Janse only his second start of the season. Up front, the familiar trio of Mika Godts, Brian Brobbey, and Bertrand Traore returned to the starting eleven after fulfilling reserve roles in Thursday’s 2-0 Europa League triumph against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Brussels.

After Saturday’s 2-2 stalemate between PSV and FC Utrecht, Ajax seized the opportunity to claim the outright lead in the Eredivisie, needing a win over Heracles. Last weekend saw Ajax briefly take the lead in the table after besting Fortuna Sittard 2-0, following PSV’s draw against Willem II.

The match began at a slow rhythm, with Heracles making a promising start, even coming close to taking the lead when the in-form Luka Kulenovic nearly scored against former Heracles keeper Remko Pasveer.

Ajax broke the deadlock just thirteen minutes in, when Belgian winger Mika Godts tucked away a chance created from an exquisite deep pass by Steven Berghuis after a couple of early chances were squandered, including efforts from struggling forward Brian Brobbey and Kian Fitz-Jim.

Instead of letting Heracles equalise, Ajax managed to extend their lead just before half-time when Brian Brobbey finished off a well-crafted attack initiated by Josip Sutalo and Bertrand Traore.

With Ajacied confident in their control of the match, Farioli took the chance to introduce January signing Oliver Edvardsen, allowing the recently fit Mika Godts a well-deserved breather.

25-year-old Edvardsen quickly made his presence felt, converting a cross from Jorrel Hato with an acrobatic finish, lofting it over Heracles keeper Fabian de Keijzer to make it 3-0 and marking his first goal for Ajax.

Not long after Edvardsen came close to adding a second, vice captain Davy Klaassen, affectionately known as ‘Mister 1-0’, calmly slotted the ball home to make it 4-0, highlighting a special milestone as he reached his 100th goal for the club.

A jubilant afternoon in Amsterdam was rounded off with debuts for two rising stars from the academy, 18-year-old Rayane Bounida—who signed a contract extension less than 24 hours before kick-off—and 17-year-old Sean Steur, who both enjoyed invaluable minutes as the match climaxed.

The flawless performance propels Ajax into next week with a two-point advantage over PSV. Ajax will next face Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League knockout tie before welcoming Go Ahead Eagles in a busy game week.

Meanwhile, Heracles’ nine-match unbeaten run has come to an abrupt end in Amsterdam. A win could have lifted them to as high as eighth place in the congested Eredivisie standings.