Nikos Machlas scored two late goals to propel Ajax from a one-goal deficit to a crucial 4-3 victory over FC Groningen Wednesday night. American midfielder John O’Brien played 90 minutes for the home side, which moved five points ahead of second-place Feyenoord in the Dutch Honor Division.
Feyenoord (56 points) and PSV Eindhoven (54) each have eight games remaining to try to catch Ajax (61), which has just six games left.
Groningen, struggling to avoid relegation, broke a 2-2 tie on Ignacio Tuhuteru’s goal in the 69th minute, but Machlas, a second-half substitute, evened things again two minutes later and added the game winner with four minutes left.