Danijel Pranjić leads Heerenveen over Ajax

The incredible turnaround of Heerenveen continued as they defeated Ajax 1-0 at the ArenA. Ajax manager Marco van Basten frustration with his striking combination since Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's departure to Real Madrid continues as they barely threatened Brian Vandenbussche and were oddly well under control. As suspected Viktor Elm was rested due to a slight injury but unfortunately his replacement Mika Väyrynen was injured early and replaced by Arnar Smárason eleven minutes in. After a scoreless first half in which Trond Sollied was very patient in that attack, de Friese slowly became more forward but still never lost focus of their defensive vision. Two minutes into the half, with Roy Beerens heading in alone, Thomas Vermaelen was red-carded for a professional foul as he brought him down. Heerenveen took the lead three minutes before the hour when Danijel Pranjić, formerly of Dinamo Zagreb, scored with a perfect free-kick from outside of twenty-five meters. Ajax's attempts were under control for the rest of the match and Trond Sollied's new found defensive fortress lodged a 1-0 victory.

Welcome to FC Twente

Continuing with the success of last year that saw FC Twente finish fourth in the Eredivisie, the Steve McClaren-led side has gotten off to a good start. While the last three matches, starting with the loss to Ajax and AZ and last weeks draw to Rotterdam's Feyenoord have taken the luster off the early season the club has displayed very efficient play and strong defensive fundamentals while honouring a number of young up and coming players.

Tactically play has varied in either a 4-4-2 or 4-4-3 primarily, with veterans Theo Janssen and Youssouf Hersi anchoring the midfield that includes emerging Footballers Cheik Tioté, Marko Arnautović and Wout Brama. Up-top captain Blaise Kufo and a potential star of the future Eljero Elia present a very capable striking duo. The defending back line is anchored by the extremely under-rated Edson Braafheid, veteran Rob Wielaert, Ronnie Stam and Douglas.

Stop by later for a full preview of this weekends match as SC Heerenveen comes to the Veste.

Ajax humbles PSV 4-1

Ajax climbs to the top of the Eredivisie table with an emphatic 4-1 victory over PSV at Amsterdam Arena. The loss sends the defending champions PSV to sixty place in the table a full seven points behind their rival. In combination with the recent loss in the KNVB Cup, this marks the fourth consecutive loss for Hubb Stevens club and further evidence that the situation around Eindhoven is far from stable.

Ajax started fast in-front of their home supporters and came close to opening the score-sheet early but it wasn't till the twenty-seventh minute that they had the lead when Luis Suárez' goal found the back of the net. Prior to that point the match was decidedly one-sided and except for a brief tease, it continued as such. Serbian international Danko Lazović entered the match for PSV seven minutes after the break and immediately responded with a flourish. Only four minutes later his cross to Otman Bakkal went askew but Ibrahim Afelley poached on it and netted a timely goal to level the match at one. However that seemed to wake Marco van Basten's force and with sixteen minutes remaining, nineteen year-old Miralem Sulejmani, a White Eagel himself, gave Ajax the lead as he jumped on a rebound to slot it home. Four minutes later, thirsting for more, Ajax made it 3-1 as Erik Pieters was the unfortunate victim of an own goal as Luis Suárez deflected off him into the goal. As time wound down Leonardo added the fourth of the afternoon to the delight of the home crowd.

Ajax Amsterdam

4 - 1

PSV

27'	Luis Suárez		1 - 0
56'			1 - 1		Ibrahim Afelley
74'	Miralem Sulejmani		2 - 1
78'	Erik Pieters (og)		3 - 1
90'	Leonardo		4 - 1