Jordan Henderson’s Ajax conceded in the 99th minute to continue their shock collapse in the Eredivisie title race and hand rivals PSV Eindhoven a one-point lead heading into the final match
A dejected Jordan Henderson could only shake his head after Ajax saw their nine-point lead at the top of the Eredivisie table wiped out on Wednesday. Looking to end a disastrous run of form over the last three weeks, Henderson and his team-mates found themselves 2-1 up in stoppage time away to 10-man Groningen.
In the live standings, Ajax were one point ahead of PSV Eindhoven, whose 4-1 victory over Heracles Almelo had just finished. But a 99th-minute free-kick ended up being prodded home by Groningen’s Thijmen Blokzijl and PSV are now top by a point going into the final day on Sunday.
On April 20, Ajax had the chance to extend their lead to 12 points, a surely insurmountable lead. That day, Francesco Farioli’s side were hammered 4-0 by Utrecht.
Ajax lost one and drew two of their next three games all while PSV hit form, sparking a stunning 10-point swing in the last month. Henderson and Co. now need a miracle on Sunday when they host sixth-placed Twente and PSV travel to bottom-half side Sparta Rotterdam.
No wonder the former Liverpool captain, who joined Ajax in January 2024, was left shaking his head after the full-time whistle on Wednesday. Henderson, 34, looked distraught, as did ex-Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst, who sprinted off the pitch close to tears.
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Some of PSV’s players had publicly given up on retaining the league title after Ajax took a stronghold, but it’s now in their hands. Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen, formerly of Everton, spoke to Dutch media post-match and said: “I don’t know if we collapsed. That sounds so intense.
“But we did start playing less. But do you think it’s a shame that I’m not going to analyze this now. I’m only here because I have to. Analysing is really difficult now.”
Who’ll win the Eredivisie title – Ajax or PSV Eindhoven? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
Boss Farioli tried to look at the positives, saying: “We started the season with the intention of qualifying for the Champions League. We succeeded. Last season Ajax got 35 points less than PSV. Now we are one point behind. So we are 34 points closer.”
The Italian added: “It’s not easy to talk after a goal in the last second of a game. It is what it is. I said it a few weeks ago: it’s not over until the last game. Let’s go. Football has taught us that anything is possible.”
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