Calvin Bassey makes crucial cameo as Ajax come from behind to beat Vitesse

Bassey joined Ajax from Rangers last summer

EREDIVISIE Calvin Bassey makes crucial cameo as Ajax come from behind to beat Vitesse

Ayoola Kelechi 16:53 - 26.02.2023

Calvin Bassey came on at half-time to help Ajax to a comeback win at Vitesse

Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey came off the bench to help Ajax secure three points with a 2-1 win against Vitesse in the Eredivisie. 

Bassey came on as a half-time substitute for Steven Berghuis and had a good game as Ajax overturned a 1-0 deficit at Vitesse to come out victorious. 

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Goals from Davy Klaassen and Edson Alvarez were enough for Ajax to seal all three points as they clawed back Vitesse’s goal scored by Marco van Ginkel. 

How it happened

Ajax started the game a bit slow, perhaps still suffering from the exertions of the Europa League but they still had the first opening of the game as Kenneth Taylor’s effort on goal forced a save out of Vitesse goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen. 

Ajax had Lion’s share of possession in the first half, but it was Vitesse who gnarly scored first when Geronimo Rulli had to come to Ajax’s aid with a superb stop. 

There was nothing Rulli could do however when Van Ginkel leapt highest to connect with Maximilian Wittek’s corner kick and head Vitesse in front. 

The lead did not last, however, as Davy Klaassen took advantage of the commotion in the Vitesse box to poke home to make it 1-1. 

The sides went into the break even, but Ajax made a change during half-time, bringing on Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey for Steven Berghuis. 

Bassey’s introduction saw Edson Álvarez move from defence to midfield and the move soon paid off as Alvarez soon scored the eventual winner for Ajax with a brilliant header, less than 10 minutes after the restart. 

After the goal, Ajax concentrated on keeping possession of the ball and made sure that Vitesse could not muster a big chance throughout the second 45 minutes. 

Ajax held on for all three points, helping them move closer to Feyenoord at the top of the Eredivisie. 

Ajax put bad spell behind them as they continue title challenge

Ajax’s win over Vitesse was their fifth in a row in the league under new manager John Heitinga who has now won every match with de Godenzonen in the Eredivisie. 

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This leaves Ajax just three points off the pace at the top of the Eredivisie table and with a fighting chance of winning the league despite their poor form at the start of the year that saw Alfred Schreuder fired from his post as manager.