Ajax hit five against nine-man Feyenoord

Dutch international Demy de Zeeuw scored twice in Ajax Amsterdam's 5-1 thrashing of arch rivals Feyenoord, who finished with nine men, in the Dutch league on Sunday.

At the end of a balanced first half, in which Ron Vlaar hit the post for Feyenoord with a long drive, De Zeeuw opened the scoring and seconds later Feyenoord midfielder Stefan Babovic was sent off for elbowing Jan Vertonghen.

Urby Emanuelson doubled the lead two minutes after the break with a fierce volley and Gregory van der Wiel added a third before Denny Landzaat pulled one back with a superb lob.

De Zeeuw's second restored the three-goal lead, while in the final minute Feyenoord goalkeeper Rob van Dijk was sent off for a professional foul on Luis Suarez, who converted the penalty for his 16th league goal of the season.

Twente Enschede, 2-1 winners at Roda JC Kerkrade on Saturday, are top with 32 points from 12 matches, two above PSV Eindhoven who beat Vitesse Arnhem 1-0.

Ajax remain third with 29 and travel to leaders Twente next Sunday. Feyenoord are fourth with 23 points.

Utrecht wasted the chance to leapfrog Feyenoord as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Heracles Almelo, while Sparta Rotterdam were 2-0 winners at home to NEC Nijmegen.