The match started tough for Ajax. NEC pressed high and managed to push the visitors deep into their own half. This pressure quickly led to the opening goal, with former Ajax player Sontje Hansen firing in on the rebound after a superb initial save by Remko Pasveer. The Ajax goalkeeper was a standout performer in the first half.
Francesco Farioli’s team didn’t take long to respond. After 15 minutes, Kenneth Taylor broke through on the left and delivered a cross that Weghorst converted, with a slight deflection off NEC goalkeeper Robin Roefs. Ajax showed character to recover from the difficult start.
Shortly into the second half, Ajax took the lead using the same formula. Taylor provided another assist, and Weghorst once again found the back of the net.
In the closing stages, Ajax held on, albeit with some desperate defending, and capitalized on dropped points by FC Utrecht and Feyenoord earlier in the weekend.
NEC - Ajax 1-2 (1-1)
13. Hansen 1-0
15. Weghorst 1-1
48. Weghorst 1-2
Ajax: Pasveer; Rensch (34. Gaaei), Šutalo, Kaplan, Hato; Van den Boomen, Taylor (74. Henderson), Klaassen, Berghuis (67. Traoré), Weghorst (67. Akpom), Hlynsson (46. Fitz-Jim)
