TOTTENHAM ‘flop’ Steven Bergwijn bagged a home-debut hat-trick as Ajax smashed Groningen 6-1.
The Holland winger has matched his total of four goals for Spurs last season in just two games for the Dutch champions.
Bergwijn swivelled to volley a brilliant fourth-minute opener, then added a header and another neat finish before being taken off on 69 minutes.
Fans on social media hailed Ajax’s attack as one of Europe’s best, especially as Manchester United target Antony scorched a sensational solo goal.
Old Trafford boss Erik ten Hag also admires Bergwijn’s other strike-partner, Brian Bobbey, but the Dutchman chose his home-town club over the Red Devils when he left RB Leipzig this summer.
Cyril Ngonge hit a shock leveller for Groningen but Antony fired home and crossed for Bergwijn’s second goal to make it 3-1 at the break.
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The ex-PSV hero, 24, completed his brilliant first-ever Eredivisie treble on 57 minutes.
Kenneth Taylor and Bergwijn’s replacement Steven Berguis then rounded off Ajax’s emphatic triumph.
One supporter tweeted: “Think this is the best Ajax attack for the foreseeable future. Could’ve been more for a few of them too.”
Another claimed: “We now have one of the most exciting attacks in Europe.”
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Some fans even urged Bergwijn: “Come back to Tottenham.”
But a few suggested he was more suited to Dutch football than the more physical Premier League.
Bergwijn himself was quick to tweet a summary of his joyful afternoon: “3 points, 3 goals.”
And so far his form and figures vindicate a £26million transfer that, he says, “shocked” him.
Stats specialists Squawka hailed his “perfect home debut” after all four of his goal-attempts were on target, including of course the three he netted.
And he had 52 touches – compared to the meagre eight that Manchester City new boy Erling Haaland managed the previous day in a 4-0 defeat of Bournemouth.
Former Ajax academy player Bergwijn said of his move last month: “I was a bit shocked. I didn’t see it coming.
“If you can go back to Ajax it’s quite tempting. They always do well in the league and the Champions League. So, it’s a step up for me.”
But Bergwijn’s stirring display alongside Antony might make it even more difficult for ex-Ajax chief Ten Hag to land the latter.
The Dutch giants are standing firm on their £70m valuation of the Brazilian – £19m more than United are thought to have offered.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
