Football: Haller scores as Eredivisie leaders Ajax beat Fortuna Sittard 2-1

Sebastian Haller scored his second goal since recently signing for Ajax in a 2-1 win against Fortuna Sittard to help his side restore their three-point lead at the top of the Dutch Eredivisie on Sunday (24th January). The visitors took the lead in the 19th minute after Sebastian Polter misjudged a header to clear from a corner, with the ball instead striking the 29-year-old's shoulder to loop in at the back post. Dusan Tadic and Haller missed good chances to extend the lead but were pegged back when Lisandro Semedo's ball found Mickael Tirpan who tapped in the equaliser for Fortuna three minutes after the break. The Eredivisie leaders went searching for the lead again, Zakaria Labyad thought he had scored in the 57th minute but his goal was ruled out for handball after a VAR review. Seven minutes later Ajax retook the lead when Nicolas Tagliafico crossed for Haller who slid the ball in - the 26-year-old's second goal since joining from West Ham United. Fortuna rarely threatened and in stoppage time Polter's afternoon went from bad to worse when he was sent off for a knee-high challenge on Edson Alvarez. Referee Dennis Higler initially gave a yellow, but after consulting with VAR reviewed his decision and upgraded the card to a straight red. The win means Ajax restore their three point lead at the top of the league after Vitesse were 1-0 winners against Groningen on Saturday (23rd January).