Gerson Sheotahul had given the visitors a surprise lead after 41 minutes, but Luis Suarez levelled the scores three minutes later before Jan Vertonghen grabbed what proved to be the winner in the 65th minute.

The result sees Ajax close the gap on AZ to three points and also allowed them to gain some revenge for the defeat they suffered at the hands of Volendam last month which ended their KNVB Beker challenge.

NAC Breda lost ground on the top two though as they were hammered 4-0 at home by an ADO Den Haag side who ended a run of seven successive league defeats.

Rick Hoogendorp's 11th-minute goal ensured the visitors held a slender lead at the interval, and they turned on the style in the second half with Richard Knopper (two) and Karim Soltani finding the target.

The result sees NAC slip three points behind Ajax, while ADO climb out of the bottom three after claiming their first win since October 17.

Lowly De Graafschap also returned to winning ways with a 3-1 defeat of Feyenoord in Rotterdam.

Jason Oost (11) and Geert Den Ouden (49 and 69) gave De Graafschap a healthy cushion with Kevin Hofland netting the home side's consolation 11 minutes from time.

Heerenveen were also 3-1 victors over Willem II thanks to efforts from Arnor Smarason (44), Christian Grindheim (70) and Mika Vayrynen (90).

Willem II's sole reply came from the boot of Frank Demouge.

And two late strikes from Cedric van der Gun earned FC Utrecht a 2-1 win at NEC Nijmegen, who had taken the lead through Said Ntibazonkiza.

AZ beat Heracles Almelo 2-0 yesterday while there were also wins for PSV Eindhoven, Roda JC and FC Twente.