Ajax take top spot in the Eredivisie after 0-2 win against Fortuna Sittard

Ajax is in first place in the Eredivisie for the first time in two years. The club from Amsterdam, which was bottom of the table just 15 months ago, fought themselves to a difficult 0-2 win against Fortuna Sittard.

Substitute Wout Weghorst scored the opening goal in the 68th minute. He scored after Fortuna goalkeeper Luuk Koopmans had saved a penalty from Steven Berghuis. Weghorst was also heavily involved in the second Ajax goal in injury time, which was scored by Christian Rasmussen, who had also come off the bench.

Fortuna had the most significant chances before the opening goal on a bumpy and slippery pitch in Sittard. Josip Mitrovic hit the post, and Syb van Ottele hit the crossbar.

After the win, Ajax are level on points with PSV. The Eindhoven club has a better goal difference but has also played more matches than the Amsterdammers.

The team knew before the match that a win would secure the top spot. However, Francesco Farioli’s side let themselves get distracted by the pitch. They slipped a lot when trying to pass the ball or dribble past players. Fortuna Sittard accepted the poor circumstances and tried to make the best of them.

Jorthy Mokio was handed a surprise start for Ajax. The Belgian, who is 16 years old, replaced left-back Jorrel Hato, who was suspended. Only Clarence Seedorf was younger when he made his debut for the Amsterdam club. Mokio made a solid impression against Fortuna, who were missing four key players Ivo Pinto, Rodrigo Guth, Mattijs Branderhorst, and Kaj Sierhuis.

Ajax tried to get more of a foothold in the game by replacing Jordan Henderson with Davy Klaassen. But Fortuna gave their all and was not shy in slowing the game down with fouls.

Farioli replaced his forwards Brian Brobbey and Bertrand Traore for Wout Weghorst and a new signing from Go Ahead Eagles, Oliver Edvardsen.

Ajax were awarded a penalty after the VAR official had spotted a handball from Shawn Adewoye. Berghuis failed to convert, but Weghorst reacted quickly and also assisted the second goal for Rasmussen in injury time. The attacker saved his side in what was an average showing in Sittard.