Football: Super-sub Brian Brobbey the difference as Ajax beat Willem II 3-1

Ajax opened up a four-point lead at the top of the Dutch Eredivisie standings on Thursday, following a 3-1 win over relegation-threatened Willem II. It proved a more difficult night than the scoreline suggested, though - Ajax struggled to find their rhythm in the first half and after Davy Klassen's spectacular opener, the home side lost momentum and Vangelis Pavlidis equalised for the visitors on the hour. It was only after 18-year-old striker Brian Brobbey came off the bench with eight minutes left that the game swung decisively Ajax's way. Brobbey put Erik ten Hag's men back in front with virtually his first touch and provided the assist for Dusan Tadic to settle the outcome three minutes from time. Ajax now have 47 points from 19 games, four clear of PSV and six ahead of Vitesse. Willem II, now without a win in ten league games, remain second from bottom.