By Jan-Kees Joosse (11/12/25)
Above: Ajax celebrate their 8-0 win. Photo: Ajax.nl.
This week in the Eredivisie delivered goals, tension and a few big milestones. While Ajax impressed with a big win over FC Utrecht, PSV and Feyenoord fought hard for crucial points to compete at the top.
Ajax 8-0 FC Utrecht
After a big loss against PEC Zwolle (7-1 last time out), Ajax produced an emphatic response at home. On De Toekomst, FC Utrecht were swept aside by 8-0. Some of their big talents like Ranneke Derks and Danique Tolhoek showed off how promising they are. Again they proved their worth of a titlerace contention.
Ajax started sharply: Van Egmond opened the scoring after just five minutes, before Tolhoek struck the post from distance. A sour moment followed when Isa Colin had to be stretchered off, but Ajax continued in full force.
Through Derks and Van Egmond they quickly extended the lead to 3–0. Tolhoek and Van de Velde made it 4–0 and 5–0, and Tolhoek struck again just before half-time. Even after the break Utrecht could not find an answer. They were completely lackluster like Ajax were against Pec Zwolle. Derks capitalised on defensive mistakes and later completed her hat-trick.
FC Utrecht have shown a lack of sharpness against PEC Zwolle, AZ and now Ajax. They lack match-focus during the start of games this season and are far from what team they were last season. With a game in hand, they are capable to bounce back during the season.
Feyenoord 1-0 PEC Zwolle
In Rotterdam, PEC Zwolle really proved they have a really good coach and strong team performance in them against every team. After their big win over Ajax, they had an even amount of points as Feyenoord. So there was much to prove. Who deserves to chase the top-teams in the Eredivisie and claim the title ‘Best of the Rest’?
Notably, PEC arrived with confidence – having beaten Ajax 7–1 before the international break – but it was Feyenoord who struck at the key moment after a sharp ball in by Mao Itamura. Who again is a difference maker for Feyenoord. Kirsten van de Westeringh put it home, just before the break.
The match could have gone either way: another Van de Westeringh goal was ruled out, just like a finish from Akari Takeshige. Tensions boiled late on with red cards for Dechamaily Lont and a PEC player following a confrontation. Feyenoord held on and took three vital points.
Jessica Torny’s Feyenoord have been very consistent this season. They’ve given every team they faced a lot of work to do. When they lost it was only with small margins. Losing with a penalty against Ajax, and a Jill Roord goal to lose against Twente – small margins tell a story. They are very close to the top of the table.
ADO Den Haag 0-2 PSV
ADO had a better performance under their new management, but PSV survived the new manager bounce with a poor perfomance. In the latter stages of the match they found their form and a couple moments of individual quality secured the win for PSV.
PSV had a much tougher task in The Hague. Bottom side ADO showed character and made life difficult, particularly during a sloppy first half. PSV failed to find their rhythm and repeatedly gave the ball away dangerously, while ADO could not convert their best chances.
After the break, PSV gradually took control, although the opener came from nowhere. Liz Rijsbergen unleashed a brilliant long-range strike into the top corner, a world-class goal. After that, PSV barely looked troubled again. In the dying minutes, Rijsbergen again made the difference by setting up Lore Jacobs for 0-2.
A major milestone: Renate Jansen played her 300th Eredivisie match, on her birthday, becoming the all-time record holder. And there was more good news with Aniek Nouwen returning from injury.
HERA United 1-1 Excelsior Rotterdam
Lower down the table, HERA and Excelsior both knew how vital the points in this direct clash would be. HERA took the lead just before half-time after miscommunication in the Excelsior defence and for a long time that looked enough.
Excelsior pushed on however and finally got their reward. In the 81st minute Van Spijk stayed composed and lifted the ball beautifully over the goalkeeper. Excelsior even had opportunities to win it late on, while goalkeeper Van der Klooster had kept her side alive earlier with several strong saves.
A draw in the end, but certainly not a quiet match—more like a perfect illustration of how tense things are at the bottom this season.
NAC Breda 0-2 sc Heerenveen
NAC and sc Heerenveen both started the weekend on four points, making this a true six-pointer. With heavy rain turning the pitch into a battle zone, both sides knew that one mistake could decide everything.
Heerenveen looked more dangerous from set pieces and fast breaks, and eventually Aymee Altena broke the deadlock with a precise header just before half-time.
NAC thought they had equalised after the restart, only for the flag to go up late and rule the goal out. That frustration hurt, and Heerenveen continued to threaten before Altena struck again with ten minutes remaining. NAC could not mount a final push and now face an uphill battle to climb off the bottom.
Conclusion
The season is far from over, but this round felt like a turning point for several sides: Ajax rediscovered top form and their easy goal making has to put some fear in FC Twente who have a game in hand against AZ – their match rescheduled due to the Champions League. PSV showed resilience and did what they need to do to stay at the top, the comeback of Aniek Nouwen in defence must be good for PSV’s future in the Eredivisie. Down below desperate fights for survival are already taking shape and the transfer window this winter might be crucial.
Follow Jan for news about Dutch women’s football at www.fcleeuwinnen.nl.
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