Two goals in three minutes from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar helped move Ajax within touching distance of Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven with a 3-0 victory over struggling Heracles Almelo.
Wesley Sneijder gave Henk ten Cate’s side an early lead before fellow Holland international Huntelaar took centre stage with two typical predatory strikes in the second half.
The Amsterdammers now lie just three points behind Ronald Koeman’s PSV after their stuttering title defence suffered another setback in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at NAC Breda.
Almelo, meanwhile, sunk further into trouble after the defeat plunged them into the relegation play-off places.
