AMSTERDAM (AP) Ajax opened a four-point lead at the top of the Dutch Eredivisie on Saturday by beating Groningen 2-0 as second-placed Heracles Almelo lost 3-1 at AZ Alkmaar.
Midfielder Nemanja Gudelj gave Ajax the lead with a first-half free kick and substitute Viktor Fischer doubled the lead 10 minutes before full time when he cut in from the left and chipped the ball over goalkeeper Sergio Padt.
It was Ajax's seventh home clean sheet in a row. Frank de Boer's team has only conceded two goals this season.
''We defend as a team,'' De Boer said. ''Compliments go not only to the backs. It starts with the forwards who take pressure off the defense. It is a team performance.''
Defending champion PSV Eindhoven is fourth after beating NEC Nijmegen 2-1.
