Dutch: AZ beats Ajax 2-0 to move to top of league

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) -- Demy de Zeeuw and Ari scored in snowy conditions Sunday to help AZ Alkmaar beat Ajax 2-0 and move to the top of the Dutch league.

De Zeeuw gave AZ the lead in the 22nd minute from the penalty spot after Maarten Martens was fouled by Eyong Enoh, and Ari scored with a backheel after a cross from the right by David Mendes da Silva in the 51st.

De Zeeuw could have made it 3-0 shortly before the final whistle but shot straight at goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer.

The victory pushed AZ into first place in the standings, above NAC Breda on goal difference.

"I don't think we've ever played such a dominant match against Ajax and won so convincingly,'' AZ coach Louis van Gaal said. "I'm very proud because in recent weeks we have beaten PSV twice and now Ajax.''

FC Groningen blew an opportunity to move into first place when it lost at Willem II Tilburg 3-0 in a match that was briefly suspended so that the lines could be swept clean of snow. Mehmet Akgun gave Willem II the lead in the 15th minute and Frank Demouge added two more.

Feyenoord continued its recovery from a poor start to the season with a 3-1 win over ADO Den Haag.

Richard Knopper gave ADO the lead in the 10th thanks to a slip by goalkeeper Henk Timmer. Feyenoord then fought back, with Roy Makaay scoring for the Rotterdam team six minutes later.

Leroy Fer gave Feyenoord the lead just before halftime and Luigi Bruins made it 3-1 in the 54th, tapping in a cross from Makaay at the far post.

Also, FC Utrecht beat Vitesse Arnhem 4-0.

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