Ajax went three points clear in the Eredivisie on Tuesday when they beat Vitesse Arnhem 4-2 at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
In an incident-packed game, the home side were ahead 1-0 at the break, thanks to a clever finish from Hakim Ziyech.
A Dusan Tadic penalty and a Matthijs de Ligt header put Ajax three goals up in the space of three second-half minutes – only for Navarone Foor to head Vitesse back into the match.
A second penalty from Tadic restored Ajax’s three-goal cushion with Oussama Darfalou heading another Vitesse goal to make it 4-2.
There was still time for Vitesse’s Matus Bero to be sent-off for two yellow card offences.
PSV Eindhoven could draw level with Ajax should they beat Willem II on Thursday as the race for the Dutch title heats up.