Ajax Stun Feyenoord with Late Kenneth Taylor Winner in Klassieke

Ajax secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Feyenoord in the Klassieker derby, thanks to Kenneth Taylor's dramatic 94th-minute winner, closing the gap to PSV to just two points in the Eredivisie title race.

Ajax secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Feyenoord in the 'Klassieker' derby, thanks to a dramatic injury-time winner from Kenneth Taylor. The 22-year-old academy product's decisive goal allowed Ajax to close the gap to league leaders PSV to just two points, with a game in hand.

The stakes were high for both teams, with Ajax seeking to capitalize on PSV's recent struggles and Feyenoord aiming to bounce back from a humiliating 6-1 Champions League defeat to Lille. The match got off to a fiery start, with Steven Berghuis forcing goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther into a crucial save just 20 seconds into the game.

The opening 30 minutes saw a cagey and tactical battle unfold, with few clear-cut chances created. Feyenoord employed a direct approach, seeking to breach Ajax's defensive line with long balls, while Ajax focused on utilizing the width of the pitch through link-up play between Brian Brobbey and Jordan Henderson, who had reassumed the captain's armband after a brief absence.

Feyenoord's tactical shift to a more fluid style of play allowed them to pierce Ajax's midfield with increasing ease. Algerian winger Anis Hadj Moussa came close to scoring, forcing Remko Pasveer to parry his shot. As Feyenoord gained momentum, Ajax seized an opportunity to counter.

Ajax left-back Jorrel Hato outmaneuvered Hadj Moussa on Feyenoord's half, finding Steven Berghuis in the box. Berghuis's cross eventually reached Brian Brobbey, who slotted the ball past Timon Wellenreuther after the goalkeeper failed to clear the ball. This goal marked a brief period of dominance for Ajax.

Minutes later, Jordan Henderson capitalized on a loose ball, feeding Bertrand Traore in the box. Traore's thunderous header, however, crashed against the crossbar, marking the final chance of the first half. The near-miss proved frustrating for Ajax, who would soon struggle to regain their footing.

The second half saw Wout Weghorst replace Brian Brobbey, and the former Burnley striker promptly sprinted past David Hancko and Gernot Trauner. However, Weghorst failed to beat Wellenreuther, marking Ajax's last meaningful chance for nearly 30 minutes. As the home side adopted a more defensive stance, Feyenoord began to dictate the pace of the game.

Feyenoord's persistence paid off when captain Quinten Timber cleverly outmaneuvered Josip Sutalo in the box and calmly scored in the far corner of Remko Pasveer's goal. This goal marked a triumphant return for Timber, who had been sidelined due to injury.

The goal sparked Ajax into action, and they began to play with renewed purpose in the final 20 minutes. This resurgence led to a penalty being awarded after David Hancko was deemed to have fouled Wout Weghorst, although replays suggested the foul may have occurred outside the penalty area. Curiously, Hancko's defensive partner Gernot Trauner received the yellow card instead.

Weghorst stepped up to take the penalty but saw his effort saved by Timon Wellenreuther, who correctly guessed the direction of the shot. Feyenoord promptly launched a counterattack, and Anis Hadj Moussa came agonizingly close to scoring, only to be denied by Remko Pasveer in a one-on-one situation. As the game entered its final stages, Ajax continued to press for a winner.

With just 10 minutes remaining, Christian Rasmussen's header struck the post, and it seemed inevitable that Ajax would pile on the pressure in the closing stages. The match was extended by eight minutes of injury time due to lengthy VAR reviews and injury treatments. During this period, Ajax created another chance, but Weghorst was unable to set up Rasmussen for a scoring opportunity.

AJAX AMSTERDAM!!!!!!!!!!!! ❌❌❌ pic.twitter.com/rNGxkRwvR4

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) February 2, 2025

However, it was another Danish player, Anton Gaaei, who proved crucial in the 94th minute. The right-back delivered a pinpoint cross to Kenneth Taylor, who had moved to the left wing after Steven Berghuis's substitution. Taylor slotted the ball home through Wellenreuther's legs, sending the home crowd into raptures and securing a thrilling derby victory for Ajax.

The win has significant implications for the title race, as Ajax closes the gap to PSV to just two points. With a game in hand, Ajax can potentially overtake PSV with a win over Go Ahead Eagles in their rescheduled match. In contrast, Feyenoord's chances of direct Champions League qualification are dwindling, with the Rotterdam side now 12 points adrift of Ajax and struggling to maintain their fourth-place position.