体坛英语新闻：Ajax rout Excelsior to narrow gap with Eindhoven

BRUSSELS, March 2  -- Ajax cut their deficit with Dutch premier league leaders PSV Eindhoven to six points with a huge win over bottom-placed Excelsior, while PSV were shocked by hosts Utrecht 1-3 on Sunday.

    At Utrecht, PSV, the defending champions, took the lead at the 28th minute when captain Timmy Simons converted a penalty kick.

    But the afternoon belonged to Utrecht, ranked ninth on the league table. Robin Nelisse equalized for the hosts at the 36th minute, and teammate Tim Cornelisse's goal put them in front 2-1 at the 44th minute.

    In the second half, PSV players still failed to find the winning touch. At the 75th minute, Gregoor Van Dijk converted a penalty kick, sealing a great victory for Utrecht.

    This was the first loss for PSV since they were beaten by hosts Groningen on Dec. 26, last year. PSV now have 59 points out of 27 matches.

    In Amsterdam, second-placed Ajax whitewashed Excelsior of Rotterdam 4-0. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar struck home twice to help Ajaxtake a 2-0 lead in the first half. Urby Emanuelson and Santiago Vitor Leonardo scored in the second half.

    With the much-needed win, Ajax, now trailing PSV by six points,keep alive their hopes of overtaking PSV to take the league title,with seven matches to play.

    In other matches on Sunday, Feyenoord were upset by visitors NEC Nijmegen 1-3, while hosts Groningen were defeated by Heracles Almelo 1-2.

    On the league table, Breda stand at 3rd with 50 points, followed by Feyenoord with 48 points, and Groningen with 47 points.