Ajax returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion on Sunday, thrashing FC Groningen 5-2 in their Eredivisie encounter at the Euroborg.
The Amsterdam club produced an impressive attacking display, scoring five goals in a league match for the third time this season.
Julian Brandt and Jorthy Mokio both scored twice, while Aaron Bouwman also found the net to secure a convincing victory for Míchel Sánchez’s side.
Ajax began the encounter brightly and nearly took an early lead when Leonardo found himself through on goal.
However, the Brazilian striker delayed his effort and allowed Groningen goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen to make a comfortable save.
Leonardo soon had another opportunity after beating Vaessen to the ball, but the goalkeeper brought him down inside the penalty area.
Ajax captain Davy Klaassen stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick, only for Vaessen to redeem himself with an excellent save.
Groningen subsequently survived another scare when Klaassen challenged Brynjólfur Willumsson inside Ajax’s penalty area.
Referee Dennis Higler initially allowed play to continue before reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor following a VAR intervention.
He ultimately maintained his original decision.
Ajax eventually broke the deadlock through Brandt.
Owen Wijndal won possession from Jorg Schreuders in Groningen’s half before laying the ball off to the German, whose left-footed effort deflected off Marco Rente and found the net.
The visitors doubled their advantage shortly afterwards when Bouwman finished from a corner, putting Ajax firmly in control before the interval.
Groningen, however, reduced the deficit shortly after the restart.
Willumsson capitalised on a careless loss of possession by Leonardo in his own half to score for the hosts.
Ajax appeared to restore their two-goal cushion when Klaassen found the net, but the effort was ruled out because Oscar Gloukh had been offside during the build-up.
Brandt then struck again to put the visitors 3-1 ahead.
After another impressive run, Wijndal picked out the German, who finished confidently for his second goal of the afternoon.
Vaessen was unable to prevent the effort, and Groningen’s resistance began to fade.
Mokio extended Ajax’s advantage to 4-1 with a close-range finish from a corner before completing his brace with a composed strike to make it five.
With the result effectively settled, Míchel introduced Yves Bissouma, allowing the midfielder to make his debut for the Dutch side.
Groningen managed to score a second goal through Thom van Bergen, who took advantage of an uncertain intervention by Ajax goalkeeper Marc ter Stegen.
Van Bergen had another opportunity to reduce the deficit in stoppage time after Groningen were awarded a penalty.
However, ter Stegen made amends by saving the spot-kick and ensuring Ajax finished the match with a comfortable three-goal margin.
The defeat left Groningen to reflect on a difficult afternoon, while Ajax secured a much-needed victory after a disappointing run of results.
Ajax will next turn their attention to their UEFA Conference League fixture against Atalanta on October 22 before returning to Eredivisie action against NEC Nijmegen on October 25.
Groningen are also scheduled to face NEC on October 25.
