De Jong hat trick lifts Ajax to another win

Heerenveen, Netherlands – Siem de Jong scored three goals to help Ajax move three points clear atop the Eredivisie with a 5-0 win over Heerenveen on Wednesday, the club's eighth successive victory.

Heerenveen was reduced to 10 men in the third minute when goalkeeper Brian Vandenbussche was sent off for denying a scoring opportunity in the box. Theo Janssen converted from the spot to open the scoring for Ajax.

The Amsterdam club never looked back as a strike from Ismail Aissati and two goals from De Jong ensured a four-goal lead by halftime.

De Jong completed his hat trick and added insult to injury for Heerenveen supporters in the 63rd minute with the final goal of the match.

Heerenveen has dropped two of its last four results to fall outside of a European position. It sits tied with PSV for fifth place on 54 points.

AZ Alkmaar was held to a 2-2 draw by Twente as a late strike from Emir Bajrami denied the Cheese Farmers three points after Jozy Altidore's brace appeared to be enough for the home side. The result sees Ajax move three points clear at the top of Holland's top flight as AZ failed to keep pace.

Elsewhere in Eredivisie action on Wednesday, Heracles claimed a 2-1 win over NAC, RKC Waalwijk earned a 2-1 victory over PSV, and Roda played to a scoreless draw with Feyenoord.