Two teams with a comfortable lead at the top of the Eredivisie locked horns today but could only muster up a point inside an empty Philips Stadion.
The action
In the 5th minute, Promes had to make a vital last ditch block on the goal line. PSV forward, Cody Gakpo made a great run on the end of a counter-attack down the right flank. He put a pass across where no PSV player could capitalise before a Promes leg deflected the ball onto the post and it ricocheted back into play.
Gakpo found himself on the end of another PSV counter-attack in the 7th minute only to fluff his lines and ruin a great opportunity.
Right back dumfries made a fantastic run into the box, after receiving a pin-point long ball from deep, before putting in a delicate touch to put him in a one-one-one situation with the keeper, only to be tackled clumsily by an Ajax centre-back. Dumfries wanted a penalty but the referee declined.
Anthony hovered down the middle of the pitch in the 35th minute. He attempted a shot from a left-hand area of the penalty box only to be saved by the keeper.
Tagliofico puts in an awful tackle in the middle of the box. Not too dissimilar to what we’ve seen of him in the past month.
Zanhavi steps up to the ref-drawn line. Takes a deep breath. Proceeds to slot the ball into the top left corner in the 39th minute. How’s your bottle?
Ajax come out firing at the start of the second half. The outfield from Amsterdam try going for second balls and looks a lot more aggressive with the press.
In the 50th minute, Anthony hunts down a PSV player who takes long on the ball. He delivers a clever back pass to Dusan Tadic before the latter delivers a great cross into the box.
Sebastian Haller is there to meet with his head – completely unmarked in the box and proceeds to header it over the bar. Such a crucial chance missed!
The drama
The clock is counting down. The clock looks weary and PSV look like they might have three points in the bag.
Vertessen came off the bench to put PSV two goals up. Or did he? He found himself on a vicious counter-attack. He attempted a shot on goal only for the ball to rebound after a fantastic Stekelenburg save and have a shot again. He blasts the ball back into the net.
The team have already lined up for play again. However, a VAR decision takes place. A whistle. Heart-ache! It’s ruled offside.
You sense the balance is on a knife-edge.
In the 91st minute, the players go up for a handball in the PSV box – this time it’s Dumfries off a Haller header. The referee gives it.
Up steps the the man in form – Dusan Tadic who blasts the ball into the top right corner of the net.
The point
Game over. Ajax unbelievably steal a point that could prove pivotal in the title race.
The game had everything. Drama. Controversy. But neither team could get a win. Ten Hag will have to turn his attention to Heerenveen in the KNVB cup and he continues to have his foot through the door in all competitions.
Tadic has something waiting for him at the end of the game…
Tadic got a coin thrown to his head while leaving the stadium, where PSV fans were awaiting him… https://t.co/FNnVl1YexW
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) February 28, 2021