THE HAGUE, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Ajax delivered a blow to PSV in the battle for the Dutch Eredivisie title with a 2-0 victory in Eindhoven on Sunday.

The gap between leader Ajax and second-placed PSV has grown to nine points with seven matches remaining, as the Amsterdam-based record champion moved another step towards its 37th national title.

Ajax broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when Lucas Rosa headed the ball towards Davy Klaassen to net home.

PSV coach Peter Bosz made changes to lineup at the break, seeing his side improve in the second half but still fail to find an equalizer against a staunch Ajax defense.

The visitors scored again in the 67th minute through substitute Bertrand Traore with a diagonal shot into the far corner.

Also on Sunday, FC Utrecht beat SC Heerenveen 2-0, and Feyenoord defeated Go Ahead Eagles 3-2. FC Utrecht sits in third place, six points adrift of PSV, while Feyenoord is fourth, two points further back with a game in hand.

The top two finishers will earn automatic qualification for the UEFA Champions League, while the third-placed side will enter the Champions League preliminary round.